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

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Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above