yellow jacket

noun

plural yellow jackets

1

or yellowjacket

ˈye-lō-ˌja-kət 

ˈye-lə-

plural yellowjackets : any of various small vespid wasps (genus Vespula and Dolichovespula) typically with abdomens marked with yellow and black that build nests in the ground or less commonly in aerial locations (such as the eaves of buildings), that usually reach a length of up to .5 inches (1.3 centimeters), and that can sting repeatedly and painfully

2

slang : pentobarbital especially in a yellow capsule

—usually used in plural

Examples of yellow jacket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike bees, yellow jackets and other wasps can sting multiple times, which can lead to allergic reactions and in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 July 2025

The three most commonly encountered are hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets. —Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The ants pack a venomous sting, which can be painful and may lead to hospitalization for people with allergies to other insects, such as wasps or yellow jackets, Suiter said. —Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025

The entrepreneur wore a gold top with matching pants and a fuzzy light yellow jacket, accessorizing with light beige boots and large gold earrings. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for yellow jacket

• bracket
• packet
• racket
• racquet
• straitjacket

Kids Definition

yellow jacket

noun

: any of various small social wasps with yellow markings that commonly nest in the ground and can sting repeatedly and painfully

Medical Definition

yellow jacket

noun

1

or yellowjacket

ˈyel-ō-ˌjak-ət 

: any of various small, social wasps (genus Vespula and Dolichovespula of the family Vespidae) typically with abdomens marked with yellow and black that build nests in the ground or less commonly in aerial locations (as the eaves of buildings), that aggressively defend their nests, and that can sting repeatedly and painfully

2

slang : pentobarbital especially in a yellow capsule

—usually used in plural