spider

noun spi·der \ˈspī-dər\

: a small creature that has eight legs and usually creates a web of sticky threads in which it catches insects for food

Full Definition of SPIDER

: any of an order (Araneae syn. Araneida) of arachnids having the abdomen usually unsegmented and constricted at the base, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)

: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth

: any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members

— spi·der·ish \-də-rish\ adjective

— spi·der·like \-dər-ˌlīk\ adjective

See spider defined for English-language learners

See spider defined for kids

Origin of SPIDER

Middle English spyder, alteration of spithre; akin to Old English spinnan to spin

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with SPIDER

bider, cider, eider, glider, guider, hider, rider, slider, strider, stridor

SPIDER Defined for Kids

spider

noun spi·der \ˈspī-dər\

Definition of SPIDER for Kids

: a wingless animal that is somewhat like an insect but has eight legs instead of six and a body divided into two parts instead of three and that often spins threads of silk into webs for catching prey

: a cast-iron frying pan

Medical Dictionary

spider

noun spi·der \ˈspīd-ər\

Medical Definition of SPIDER

: 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

: spider nevus <an arterial spider>

: an obstruction in the teat of a cow; especially : a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising