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• scorpion
  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
  Scorpion

  noun

  the constellation Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac

scorpion

American  

[skawr-pee-uhn] / ˈskɔr pi ən /

noun

• scorpions
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• scorpionic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• scorpions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

scorpion Scorpion scorpions

Some specimens preserve flap-like structures on the abdomen resembling features seen in modern crustaceans such as lobsters, raising the possibility that the giant scorpion could move between water and land.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

What do you think when someone approaches you now in a “Drive” scorpion jacket?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

Grogu does a lot of it, at points gobbling a scorpion and the Star Wars version of popcorn.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

The scar Luke had given me last summer was fading, but I could still see it—a white asterisk-shaped wound where his pit scorpion had stung me.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

Havana carried out an elaborate project called Operation Scorpion to spy on the organization and track its flights.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026

The last major fire on the Channel Islands was the Scorpion fire, which burned 1,368 acres on Santa Cruz Island in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

Scorpion stings are an often overlooked public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 18, 2026

This elicited a strong reaction from some Zambians online, for example there were dozens of mocking comments on the Zambian Scorpion Facebook group.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

Scorpion yelled, and he and the rest of the Cold Bloods cheered.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Those newer remains revealed anatomical traits found specifically in scorpions, giving scientists the evidence needed to reassess Praearcturus.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

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

Wildlife enthusiast Fred, who had just turned six at the time of filming in the summer and autumn of 2024, enjoyed spotting scorpions, snakes, monkeys, monitor lizards, eagles, hermit crabs, geckos and flying lemurs.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026

“Elba’s more of a temperate rain forest, so scorpions are actually out of place here.”

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth