water bug

American

noun

any of various aquatic bugs, as of the family Belostomatidae giant water bug.
(loosely) a large cockroach, especially the American cockroach.

water bug British

noun

any of various heteropterous insects adapted to living in the water or on its surface, esp any of the family Belostomatidae ( giant water bugs ), of North America, India, and southern Africa, which have flattened hairy legs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of water bug

First recorded in 1740–50

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.

Also referred to as Electric light bug, this giant water bug is described as a vicious hunter, praying on invertebrates, fish, turtles, and even birds.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

On a recent vacation in Tokyo, Takumi Yamamoto opted for a special lunch of cricket curry and silkworm sashimi, washed down with a water bug cider.

From Reuters • Aug. 7, 2023

He mixed dazzling ballhandling with muscular defense and water bug quickness.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2022

"Like TGI Fridays, but with water bug relish."

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2016

The painted demon squirmed at her feet like a giant water bug.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023