orb weaver
noun
: any of a family (Araneidae) of spiders that have eight similar eyes and typically spin a large elaborate wheel-shaped flat web and that includes large or brightly colored spiders (genera Araneus and Argiope) found in gardens
Examples of orb weaver in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The crew spotted an orb weaver spider acting in an unusual manner, suggesting something had altered its behavior.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Earlier this year, USA Today reported that orb weaver spiders also have another interesting skill: Trapping a firefly and using its glowing bulb to attract even more insects.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024
The researchers used the same method to study 22 Joro spiders, as well as 20 golden silk orb weaver spiders (Trichonephila clavipes), a North American species in the same genus.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2024
Classified as orb weavers, the spiders catch prey using their giant, three-dimensional webs.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
Like the individual threads of a tapestry, each strand in an orb weaver spider’s web works to capture food.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023
The golden orb weaver under his microscope produces incredibly strong silk.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
Environment Science Learning more about the sticky glue that orb weaver spiders use to spin their webs could have wide scientific applications.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023
For example, some orb weaver spiders adorn their webs with silk decorations.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2018
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Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Earlier this year, USA Today reported that orb weaver spiders also have another interesting skill: Trapping a firefly and using its glowing bulb to attract even more insects.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024
The researchers used the same method to study 22 Joro spiders, as well as 20 golden silk orb weaver spiders (Trichonephila clavipes), a North American species in the same genus.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2024
Classified as orb weavers, the spiders catch prey using their giant, three-dimensional webs.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
Like the individual threads of a tapestry, each strand in an orb weaver spider’s web works to capture food.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023
The golden orb weaver under his microscope produces incredibly strong silk.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
Environment Science Learning more about the sticky glue that orb weaver spiders use to spin their webs could have wide scientific applications.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023
For example, some orb weaver spiders adorn their webs with silk decorations.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Orb weaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orb%20weaver. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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