tarantula
noun
-tə-lə;-ˈranch-lə, -ˈrant-\
-tə-ˌlē;
-ˈranch-ˌlē,
-ˈrant-
\
Definition of tarantula
1 : a European wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) popularly held to be the cause of tarantism
2 : any of various large, hairy, American spiders (family Theraphosidae) that are typically rather sluggish and capable of biting sharply though most forms are not significantly poisonous to humans
Examples of tarantula in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Take your time exploring the more than 23 acres, which are home to everything from a Brazilian tarantula to an Indian rhinoceros. — Amy Thomas, New York Times, "36 Hours in Buffalo," 28 June 2018 The frame came alive like a giant tarantula, leaving us giddy with the ease of assembly. — Melanie D.g. Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Camping without the hassle: New service rents you all the gear you need, plus the car," 21 May 2018 Who’s from Pixar?: Flik, an ant, and Hopper, a grasshopper, are supplemented by Chili, a tarantula; the Terminte-ator; Weevil Kneevil; the Dung Beetle Brothers; and Claire de Room, a stink bug. — Dewayne Bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney World: A look at Pixar in the parks," 25 June 2018 And the impressive array of imposing creatures — a tarantula, a scorpion — behind glass but obviously quite alive, inspired squeals of horror and excitement. — New York Times, "Francine Prose on Montreal in the Spring: The Time of the Butterflies," 11 June 2018 The venomous but docile tarantula is native to Mexican deserts and scrublands, and is named after its red-orange leg joints. — Amy Rankin, National Geographic, "A Tarantula Sheds Its Skin in New Time-Lapse Video," 16 May 2018 Officers found 41 deceased animals, including rabbits, snakes, hermit crabs, tarantulas, hamsters, mice and fish. — Kaitlyn Schwers, kansascity, "Pet store was closed for maintenance. 41 animals were dead inside, Illinois cops say," 30 May 2018 The frame came alive like a giant tarantula, leaving us giddy with the ease of assembly. — Melanie D.g. Kaplan, miamiherald, "Camping without the hassle: New service rents you all the gear you need, plus the car | Miami Herald," 26 May 2018 Sea Life Arizona Aquarium This aquarium at Arizona Mills in Tempe has an interactive tide pool, a stingray exhibit, ocean view tunnel and a critter canyon with snakes, tarantulas and tortoises. — Wendy Killeen, azcentral, "Indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks and places in Phoenix kids can play and stay cool," 24 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tarantula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for tarantula
tarantula
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tarantula
: a large, hairy spider that lives in warm regions
See the full definition for tarantula in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tarantula
noun
\
Kids Definition of tarantula
: a large hairy spider of warm regions of North and South America whose bite may be painful but is usually not serious to humans except for a few South American species
tarantula
noun
-ˈrant-ᵊl-ə
\
-ˈrant-ᵊl-ˌē
\
Medical Definition of tarantula
1 : a European spider (Lycosa tarentula of the family Lycosidae) popularly held to be the cause of tarantism
2 : any of a family (Theraphosidae) of large hairy American spiders that are typically rather sluggish and capable of biting sharply though most forms are not significantly poisonous to humans
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on tarantula
What made you want to look up tarantula? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
Which Came First? Quiz
Do you know which word is older?
Take the quiz -
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
Take the quiz -
Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share tarantula
Resources for tarantula