plural yellow jackets
Definition of yellow jacket
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
, 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
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best bug spray.
Learn More About yellow jacket
Statistics for yellow jacket
Last Updated
26 Jun 2022
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Yellow jacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellow%20jacket. Accessed 30 Jun. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
More Definitions for yellow jacket
yellow jacket
nounKids Definition of yellow jacket
: a small wasp with yellow markings that usually nests in colonies in the ground and can sting repeatedly and painfully
yellow jacket
nounMedical Definition of yellow jacket
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
\
: 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
Test Your Vocabulary
Words Named After People
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Brand Name Vocabulary Quiz
You’re gonna need some moxie to ace this quiz
Take the quiz
-
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
Take the quiz
-
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share yellow jacket
Time Traveler for yellow jacket
The first known use of yellow jacket was in 1796
See more words from the same year