1
a
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a short, usually unsegmented abdomen linked to the cephalothorax by the pedicel, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of spinnerets at the posterior end of the abdomen for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)
Note: Spiders are further characterized by leglike pedipalps near the mouth, usually eight simple eyes, and book lungs or tracheae in the abdomen.
b
: any of various other arthropods and especially arachnids that resemble the true spiders
—not used technically
2
: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth
3
: any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members
Examples of spider in a Sentence
We watched the spider spin its web.
Recent Examples on the Web
An aphid had flown into a spider web and tried in vain to escape from the sticky threads.
—
Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
The camera floats around the room like an invisible spider, circling and circling, weaving this trio into a diabolical web.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
Another common Halloween nightmare features spiders, creatures that evoke fear in many.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
More:How spiders, bats and black cats became the animal ambassadors of Halloween
Now, there are small signs that those numbers may be rebounding.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spider 
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Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
The camera floats around the room like an invisible spider, circling and circling, weaving this trio into a diabolical web.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
Another common Halloween nightmare features spiders, creatures that evoke fear in many.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
More:How spiders, bats and black cats became the animal ambassadors of Halloween
Now, there are small signs that those numbers may be rebounding.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spider
Dictionary Entries Near spider
Cite this Entry
“Spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər 
1
: any of an order of arachnids that have two or more pairs of abdominal organs for spinning threads of silk used in making cocoons for their eggs, nests for themselves, or webs for catching their prey
2
: a cast-iron frying pan
Medical Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər
1
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a body with two main divisions, four pairs of walking legs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk used especially in making webs for catching prey
2
: spider nevus
an arterial spider
3
: an obstruction in the teat of a cow
especially
: a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising
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