deer tick
nounDefinition of deer tick
: an ixodid tick (Ixodes scapularis synonym I. dammini) of the eastern U.S. and Canada that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease
— called also black-legged tick
Illustration of deer tick
Examples of deer tick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Powassan virus disease is typically spread by the deer tick (scientifically known as Ixodes scapularis) or the groundhog tick (Ixodes cookei), according to the CDC. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Maine Confirmed Its First Case of a Rare Tick-Borne Virus in Years. Here's What to Know About Powassan," 25 July 2019 Nebraska Omaha: Health officials say deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease have turned up for the first time in eastern Nebraska. — USA TODAY, "Moon rocks, Misty of Chincoteague, Haiku Stairs: News from around our 50 states," 28 June 2019 The upsurge of deer ticks, followed by an upsurge in Lyme disease, in the state over the past 20 years has drawn significant attention to ticks and tick prevention. — Anna Groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't panic over first Rocky Mountain spotted fever death in Wisconsin, but be careful," 12 July 2018 Andreadis said that the rate of Lyme disease infection in deer ticks in Connecticut between 2013 and 2017 ranged from a low of 27 percent to as high as 32 percent. — Gregory B. Hladky, courant.com, "Lyme Disease Tick Numbers Now At Record Highs," 25 June 2018 In fact, Sax considers DEET the gold standard against Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit a host of diseases (including Zika) as well as deer ticks, which often strike now through the end of summer. — Kari Molvar, Vogue, "The Best Bug Sprays for a Bite-Proof Summer, According to the Pros," 18 June 2018 Only one type of tick, Ixodes scapularis – commonly known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick – transmits Lyme disease. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Reducing your risk of Lyme disease as the threat increases," 10 July 2018 These are different ticks from the transmitters of Lyme disease, which are deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks. — Anna Groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't panic over first Rocky Mountain spotted fever death in Wisconsin, but be careful," 12 July 2018 Tick paralysis can be caused by several species of ticks, including deer ticks (which can also carry Lyme disease) and dog ticks (which can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). — Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, "After Her Daughter Was Paralyzed by a Tick, This Mom's Warning Is Going Viral on Facebook," 11 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deer tick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for deer tick
deer tick
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of deer tick
US
: a very small insect found in the eastern U.S. and in Canada that usually feeds on deer and that can give the person or animal it bites various diseases (such as Lyme disease)
See the full definition for deer tick in the English Language Learners Dictionary
deer tick
noun
\ ˈdi(ə)r-
\
\
Medical Definition of deer tick
: a tick of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini) that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease