scorpion

noun

scor·​pi·​on ˈskȯr-pē-ən 

1

a

: 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

b

capitalized : scorpio

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

In December 2021, authorities in Colombia seized at least 232 tarantulas, 67 cockroaches, nine spider eggs, and a scorpion with seven of its young, all hidden in a suitcase at the El Dorado airport in Bogotá. —Jack Guy, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024

Even when testers were analyzing snowboards that didn’t blow them away, risking numb fingers, frozen toes, and, worst of all, high-speed scorpions under the chairlift for the sake of data collection, good times were had. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024

There are channels where people purposely get stung by everything from scorpions to tarantula hawks, a large wasp that preys on something just as scary: tarantulas. —Jason Nark, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2024

For instance, think about insects’ antennae, scorpions’ pincers and spiders’ fangs. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French eskorpiun, from Latin scorpion-, scorpio, from Greek skorpios

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scorpion

• scorpion fish
• scorpion fly
• sea scorpion
• water scorpion
• whip scorpion

Kids Definition

scorpion

noun

scor·​pi·​on ˈskȯr-pē-ən 

: any of an order of invertebrates that are arachnids and that have a long jointed body and a slender tail with a poisonous stinger at the end

Medical Definition

scorpion

noun

scor·​pi·​on ˈskȯr-pē-ən 

: any of an order (Scorpionida) of arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip