spider

noun

spi·​der ˈspī-dər 

1

a

: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a short, usually unsegmented abdomen linked to the cephalothorax by the pedicel, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of spinnerets at the posterior end of the abdomen for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)

Note: Spiders are further characterized by leglike pedipalps near the mouth, usually eight simple eyes, and book lungs or tracheae in the abdomen.

b

: any of various other arthropods and especially arachnids that resemble the true spiders

—not used technically

2

: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth

3

: any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members

spiderish

ˈspī-də-rish 

adjective

spiderlike

ˈspī-dər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of spider in a Sentence

We watched the spider spin its web.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stay away:With mild spring weather come scorpions, spiders, roaches. —The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

According to The Court Jeweller, Maxima has had the oversized spider set in her jewelry box since at least 2015 and almost always wears the brooches by Celedonio, a brand based in her native Argentina, as a pair. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Exactly one joke about researching spiders in the Amazon. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024

Vibrant glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly nestle into the woods surrounding the building, while Maman, a gigantic spider by Louise Bourgeois, forms a dramatic archway. —Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024

There are lily pads with human penises, even some water spiders with human penises. —Megan Amram, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Thank you Australia for the beautiful memories (minus the spiders). —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

But not all pranks are whoopee cushions at board meetings or fake spiders in the Easter casserole. —Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

Though terrifying to people, spiders aren’t always treated with trepidation. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spyder, alteration of spithre; akin to Old English spinnan to spin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spider

• baboon spider
• bird-eating spider
• bird spider
• brown recluse spider
• crab spider
• giant crab spider
• goliath bird-eating spider
• goliath bird spider
• huntsman spider
• jumping spider
• red spider
• sea spider
• spider crab
• spider mite
• spider monkey
• spider plant
• spider's web
• spider vein
• trapdoor spider
• two-spotted spider mite
• wolf spider
• woolly spider monkey

Kids Definition

spider

noun

spi·​der ˈspīd-ər 

1

: any of an order of arachnids that have two or more pairs of abdominal organs for spinning threads of silk used in making cocoons for their eggs, nests for themselves, or webs for catching their prey

2

: a cast-iron frying pan

Medical Definition

spider

noun

spi·​der ˈspīd-ər 

1

: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a body with two main divisions, four pairs of walking legs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk used especially in making webs for catching prey

2

: spider nevus

an arterial spider

3

: an obstruction in the teat of a cow

especially : a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising