scorpion

American  

[skawr-pee-uhn] / ˈskɔr pi ən /

noun

1. any of numerous arachnids of the order Scorpionida, widely distributed in warmer parts of the world, having a long, narrow, segmented tail that terminates in a venomous sting.

2. Astronomy. the Scorpion, Scorpius.

3. any of various harmless lizards, especially the red- or orange-headed males of certain North American skinks.

4. Bible. a whip or scourge that has spikes attached. 1 Kings 12:11.

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scorpion ¹ British  

/ ˈskɔːpɪən /

noun

1. any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of warm dry regions, having a segmented body with a long tail terminating in a venomous sting

2. any small nonvenomous arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida (or Chelonethida ), which superficially resemble scorpions but lack the long tail See book scorpion

3. any of various other similar arachnids, such as the whip scorpion, or other arthropods, such as the water scorpion

4. Old Testament a barbed scourge (I Kings 12:11)

5. history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista

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Scorpion ² British  

/ ˈskɔːpɪən /

noun

1. the constellation Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac

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Other Word Forms

• scorpionic adjective

Etymology

Origin of scorpion

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin scorpiōn- (stem of scorpiō ), equivalent to scorp(ius) “scorpion” (from Greek skorpíos ) + -iōn- noun suffix, perhaps after pāpiliō (stem pāpiliōn- ) “butterfly,” or stelliō (stem stelliōn- ) “gecko”

Example Sentences

“This is like a scorpion riding the frog’s back. When they sting, one of the biggest economies hurt by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz will be the Iranian economy,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

It can be difficult to determine which scorpion delivered the sting, making it harder to provide the most effective treatment quickly.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

City were unable to stem the tide of Tottenham pressure and Solanke produced a sensational scorpion kick equaliser from Conor Gallagher's cross.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Lizbeth Ovalle won the Marta Award for the best goal in women's football with her scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in Mexico's Liga MX Femenil in March.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

In return he showed them how to protect themselves from the stings of poisonous insects and demonstrated the effectiveness of his antidote by placing a live scorpion on his arm.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende