wood tick

noun

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web 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 The American dog tick, which is most prevalent east of the Rocky Mountains, is brown with grayish markings and sometimes called a wood tick. Washington Post, 24 May 2021 Deer ticks, dog ticks, and wood ticks can carry and transmit several types of diseases that affect both dogs and humans, from Lyme Disease to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The Editors, Field & Stream, 3 Mar. 2020 Lyric Bartholomay, professor in UW-Madison’s Departments of Comparative Biomedical Sciences and Entomology, said that Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted by dog ticks, also called wood ticks, that have long been ubiquitous across the state. Anna Groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wood tick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near wood tick

Cite this Entry

“Wood tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood%20tick. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

wood tick

noun
: any of several ixodid ticks: as

More from Merriam-Webster on wood tick

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