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: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth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

Female Joro spiders can grow as large as 4 inches, big enough to span across a tennis ball, according to the University of Georgia. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Large projects consist of a spider’s web of deadlines, a mishmash of budgets, a cavalcade of different teams to organize and a litany of regulatory hurdles to clear. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

So far this year, Joro spiders have been spotted in Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Alabama, according to public trackers. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a heatproof bowl and immediately toss with 2 Tbsp. — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for spider

• cider
• cyder
• eider
• glider
• hider
• rider
• schneider
• slider
• snider
• stridor
• wider
• collider

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