banana spider

noun

1
: huntsman spider sense 2
… the spider—also known as a banana spider because it is sometimes found in boxes of bananas, or a giant crab spider—may strike fear into the hearts of some people, but is harmless to humans.Angela Taylor and Mark Drever, Aberdeen (Scotland) Press and Journal, 21 Mar. 2003
2
: tarantula sense 2
Tarantulas once were called banana spiders because they were often found in shipments of fruit.Sally Bank, Calgary Herald, 30 Dec. 1995
3
: golden silk spider
Golden silk spiders are named for their golden web, but are also called banana spiders because their body is long, thin and the top side is yellow.Lee Belanger, News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida), 25 Mar. 2006
4
: brazilian wandering spider
Brazilian wandering spiders have been given the nickname the banana spider as they are occasionally discovered as stowaways within banana shipments.Matt Goerzen, Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 2009

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of banana spider was in 1897

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near banana spider

Cite this Entry

“Banana spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banana%20spider. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!