wood tick

noun

: any of several ixodid ticks: such as
a
: a widely distributed tick (Dermacentor andersoni) of western North America that is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever
b
: american dog tick

Examples of wood tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever There are two main ticks responsible for spreading rocky mountain spotted fever: the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick. — Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2023 Cross says the American dog tick is very common out East while the Rocky Mountain wood tick is found in the West. — Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wood tick was in 1668

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“Wood tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood%20tick. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

wood tick

noun
: any of several ixodid ticks: as
a
: rocky mountain wood tick
b
: american dog tick

More from Merriam-Webster on wood tick

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wood tick

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