scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
| \ ˈskȯr-pē-ən
\
\
Definition of scorpion
1a
: any of an order (Scorpionida) of nocturnal arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip
2
: a scourge probably studded with metal
3
: something that incites to action like the sting of an insect
the scorpions of absolute necessity— Arnold Bennett
Illustration of scorpion
scorpion 1a
Examples of scorpion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This summer Scorpius, which really looks like a scorpion, is shining just below Jupiter. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: There are many delights to be found in August’s evening skies," 4 Aug. 2019 Porquerolles is tropical and frightening; Mahé’s son is found with a scorpion in his bed. — Vince Passaro, Harper's magazine, "Maigret All Day," 22 July 2019 Just like spiders, scorpions, amblypygids, mites and a bunch of other leggy, land-dwelling animals. — Nadia Drake, National Geographic, "Bizarre horseshoe crabs are actually spider relatives," 27 Feb. 2019 Keizer Fire District Chief Jeff Cowan says the arachnids were confirmed to be Pacific Northwest forest scorpions, a species native to the Willamette Valley. — USA TODAY, "Barbie, Tupac, scorpions and Red Vines: News from around our 50 states," 19 July 2019 The eye-catching pair will be next door to the heart of the scorpion, the orange star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. — Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic, "Saturn at its best, and more top stargazing events in July," 1 July 2019 Deep in the Badlands of North Dakota, where snakes and scorpions slither and crawl, was Harrison Duran on a recent June day, digging his hands in the dirt, scraping his tools against bones — ancient, rare bones. — Eduardo Medina, SFChronicle.com, "UC Merced student finds 65 million-year-old Triceratops skull," 26 July 2019 Captain Aaron Pittis said the scorpions were only at the fire station for about an hour. — oregonlive.com, "Live scorpions found in container at Keizer park, dropped off at fire station for ‘safety’," 17 July 2019 Oregonians can sleep a little lighter knowing that the scorpion, an animal synonymous with the desert, is native to the Pacific Northwest, too. — oregonlive.com, "Live scorpions found in container at Keizer park, dropped off at fire station for ‘safety’," 17 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scorpion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for scorpion
scorpion
noun
English Language Learners Definition of scorpion
: a small animal related to spiders that has two front claws and a curved tail with a poisonous stinger at the end
See the full definition for scorpion in the English Language Learners Dictionary
scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
| \ ˈskȯr-pē-ən
\
\
Kids Definition of scorpion
: an animal related to the spiders that has a long jointed body ending in a slender tail with a poisonous stinger at the end
scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
| \ ˈskȯr-pē-ən
\
\
Medical Definition of scorpion
: any of an order (Scorpionida) of arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip
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