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yellow jacket

noun \ ˈye-lō-ˌja-kət , ˈye-lə- \
variants: or less commonly yellowjacket
|Updated on: 29 May 2018

Definition of yellow jacket

1 : any of various small yellow-marked vespid wasps (especially genus Vespula) that commonly nest in the ground and can sting repeatedly and painfully
2 slang : pentobarbital especially in a yellow capsule

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Recent Examples of yellow jacket from the Web

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

First Known Use of yellow jacket

1796

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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YELLOW JACKET Defined for English Language Learners

yellow jacket

noun

Definition of yellow jacket for English Language Learners

  • : a small flying insect that has yellow marks on its body and that can sting you

YELLOW JACKET Defined for Kids

yellow jacket

noun

Definition of yellow jacket for Students

: a small wasp with yellow markings that usually nests in colonies in the ground and can sting repeatedly and painfully

Medical Dictionary

yellow jacket

noun

medical Definition of yellow jacket

1 : any of various yellow-marked social wasps (especially genus Vespula of the family Vespidae) that usually nest in the ground, aggressively defend their nests, and can sting repeatedly and painfully
2 slang : pentobarbital especially in a yellow capsule —usually used in plural

Illustration of yellow jacket

illustration of yellow jacket

Learn More about yellow jacket

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of yellow jacket Nglish: Translation of yellow jacket for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yellow jacket

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yellow jacket

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