lone star tick

noun

: an ixodid tick (Amblyomma americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern U.S. that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back

Examples of lone star tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lone star tick, which is known for causing a life-threatening allergy to red meat, has also expanded its range. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025

The lone star tick is found in the Southeastern, Eastern, and South Central United States. —Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 9 July 2025

Brown said a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an allergic reaction, with symptoms including hives, gastrointestinal distress and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. —State House News Service, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

Lone star ticks: Found in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central U.S., lone star ticks can sometimes cause a circular rash. —Laura Schober, Health, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lone star tick

• andesitic
• dizygotic
• endocytic
• impolitic
• lymphocytic
• martensitic
• pegmatitic
• phagocytic
• pharisaic
• realpolitik
• rhyolitic
• actinic

Medical Definition

lone star tick

noun

ˈlōn-ˈstär- 

: an ixodid tick of the genus Amblyomma (A. americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern United States that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back