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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the Rocky Mountain states, the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026 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 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

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wood tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood%20tick. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

wood tick

noun
: any of several ixodid ticks: as

More from Merriam-Webster on wood tick

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster