scorpion
noun
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.
scorpion
American
[skawr-pee-uhn]
/ ˈskɔr pi ən /
noun
-
scorpions
plural
-
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.
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Astronomy. the Scorpion, Scorpius.
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any of various harmless lizards, especially the red- or orange-headed males of certain North American skinks.
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Bible. a whip or scourge that has spikes attached. 1 Kings 12:11.
scorpion
1
British
/ ˈskɔːpɪən /
noun
-
any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of warm dry regions, having a segmented body with a long tail terminating in a venomous sting
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any small nonvenomous arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida (or Chelonethida ), which superficially resemble scorpions but lack the long tail See book scorpion
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any of various other similar arachnids, such as the whip scorpion, or other arthropods, such as the water scorpion
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Old Testament a barbed scourge (I Kings 12:11)
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history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista
Scorpion
2
British
/ ˈskɔːpɪən /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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”
Explanation
A scorpion is a fierce little predator with a curvy tail known for delivering a sharp, venomous sting. Scorpions are a tough species, having been around for about 430 million years! They are known for their venomous stingers, used both to snatch prey and scare off foes. Despite their fierce reputation, most scorpions aren’t deadly to humans, but their sting is still painful enough to make anyone want to keep their distance.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
To avoid the high prices of Scotch bonnets, she also uses locally grown Moruga scorpion peppers, which are native to Trinidad.
From BBC ● May 31, 2026
The situation resembles the parable of the scorpion and the turtle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
The helpers look after the pups, nurse and feed them, protect them from predators, and even teach them how to eat a scorpion safely.
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
This approach allowed them to estimate where high risk scorpion species are most likely to live and which environmental features shape their distribution.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 18, 2026
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve survived eight weeks on a desert island in the company of a scorpion, or were raised by polar bears for six months of your life, so this is nothing.”
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
Another is Inspector Hamid, a much-feared police chief nicknamed the Scorpion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
Scorpion stings are an often overlooked public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 18, 2026
In 2022, Scorpion Capital released a 183-page critique, and in March of last year, Kerrisdale Capital Management wrote that IonQ delivered “limited, error-prone systems.”
From Barron's ● Feb. 4, 2026
PC Rogers, based at Porth police station, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was one of a number of officers who came to the scene after "Operation Scorpion" was declared by South Wales Police.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2025
“I’m sick of Scorpion and his stupid sidekicks. They’re so mean!”
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
Shooting on location meant dealing with typhoons, scorpions and snakes, and working with kids meant shorter work days.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
It was infested with so many scorpions that anyone entering the bathroom at night carried a flashlight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
Not all scorpions respond to their environment in the same way.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 18, 2026
By aiming above a wall, they could pelt the town behind it with beehives, scorpions, snakes, flaming pitch, rotten vermin, or excrement.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2025
No matter where he walked, shadows hid his face, and scorpions that stung him died of the corruption they had touched.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
