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

Alpha-gal syndrome, caused by lone star tick bites, triggers red meat allergies. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The lone star tick is the most common tick in North Carolina and is associated with Alpha-gal syndrome, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to NC State extension associate Christopher Hayes. — Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026

Southern Illinois University Zoology Professor Agustin Jiménez said lone star ticks are a growing problem in the area. — CBS News, 19 June 2026

Botts says the Heartland virus was discovered in Missouri in 2009, caused by the lone star tick. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lone star tick

• andesitic
• anthelmintic
• dizygotic
• impolitic
• lymphocytic
• martensitic
• phagocytic
• pharisaic
• realpolitik
• rhyolitic
• visigothic
• 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