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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

A newly analyzed fossil predator from what is now England and Wales has been identified as the largest scorpion known to science.

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

The turtle agrees to carry the scorpion across the river after being reassured that he will not sting him, since doing so would doom them both.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

Matt put out his hand to touch the scorpion, and Maria grabbed his arm.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

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

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

Then Scorpion appeared out of nowhere and snatched Steve’s badge.

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

Its appearance bears little obvious resemblance to the spiders and scorpions that descended from its broader evolutionary lineage.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 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

Their results revealed a clear pattern -- soil type is the primary factor influencing where most scorpions are found, while temperature, including both average levels and seasonal variation, plays an important role for certain species.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 18, 2026

It was dangerous work, too, as poisonous snakes and scorpions hid in the grass.

From "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park