orb weaver

noun

: any of a family (Araneidae) of spiders that have eight similar eyes and typically spin a large elaborate wheel-shaped flat web and that includes large or brightly colored spiders (genera Araneus and Argiope) found in gardens

Examples of orb weaver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, spiders can create up to seven types of silk, and orb weavers make them all. — Ella Kellner, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025 There are many kinds of spiders in our gardens, including crab spiders, cobweb spiders and orb weavers. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 Like the individual threads of a tapestry, each strand in an orb weaver spider’s web works to capture food. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023 The creatures most often used for these battles are female orb weavers, of the species’ Neoscona punctigera and Neoscona vigilans. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for orb weaver

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orb weaver was in 1883

Rhymes for orb weaver

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or bust
orb weaver
orb web
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Cite this Entry

“Orb weaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orb%20weaver. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on orb weaver

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orb weaver

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