wood tick

noun

: any of several ixodid ticks: such as
a
: a widely distributed tick (Dermacentor andersoni) of western North America that is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Examples of wood tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Accounting for 75% of Michigan's ticks, American dog ticks, or wood ticks, live in forests and grassy areas throughout Michigan. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 23 Apr. 2026 The larger wood ticks are easier to spot than the smaller deer ticks. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Most of them will likely be identified as Rocky Mountain wood ticks. Aaron Bolton, NPR, 20 Aug. 2025 Rocky Mountain wood ticks live in the Western United States. Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 9 July 2025 Its cousin, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, poses similar risks in high-elevation areas of the Rockies. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 Cross says the American dog tick is very common out East while the Rocky Mountain wood tick is found in the West. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2023 In Wisconsin, the two most common species of ticks are the American dog tick — sometimes called a wood tick — which are found statewide. Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wood tick was in 1668

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Cite this Entry

“Wood tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood%20tick. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

wood tick

noun
: any of several ixodid ticks: as

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