jumping spider

noun

: any of a family (Salticidae) of small spiders that stalk and leap upon their prey

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Some newer species, such as certain ant-hunting specialists and the portia jumping spider (which will prey on fellow spiders by lowering itself from above), don’t use webs at all. Lindzi Wessel, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2018 The idea that a jumping spider might go into REM sleep is fascinating to Lisa Taylor, a research scientist at the University of Florida whose research focuses on jumping spider behavior. Julian Mark, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Viewed from behind, a fly with its wings stretched out looks like a jumping spider facing you with its front legs up. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2017 Clearly, when faced with a jumping spider, wearing a coat of dead ants can mean the difference between life or death to an assassin bug. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2010 Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Science made the discovery while following up on an observation about Toxeus magnus, a species of jumping spider that mimics ants. Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2018 Critters like the jumping spider are very far from humans on the evolutionary tree. Maddie Burakoff, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. The Courier-Journal, 31 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jumping spider.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jumping spider was in 1736

Dictionary Entries Near jumping spider

Cite this Entry

“Jumping spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jumping%20spider. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

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