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.
Astronomy. the Scorpion, Scorpius.
any of various harmless lizards, especially the red- or orange-headed males of certain North American skinks.
Bible. a whip or scourge that has spikes attached. 1 Kings 12:11.
any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of warm dry regions, having a segmented body with a long tail terminating in a venomous sting
any small nonvenomous arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida (or Chelonethida ), which superficially resemble scorpions but lack the long tail See book scorpion
any of various other similar arachnids, such as the whip scorpion, or other arthropods, such as the water scorpion
Old Testament a barbed scourge (I Kings 12:11)
history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista
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”
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.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
When asked why, the scorpion replies, “Because it is in my nature.”
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
Seriously, if it was a millipede or a scorpion, Nathan could deal.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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
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
I passed Scorpion and Cedar and was now almost as high as Newt, who had gotten caught in a tangle of vines.
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
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
Seasoned diplomats rehearsed rigid protocols to prevent misunderstandings between two nuclear powers poised like scorpions in a jar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025
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
It was dangerous work, too, as poisonous snakes and scorpions hid in the grass.
From "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park
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.
