black widow

noun

1. a venomous spider, Latrodectus mactans, widely distributed in the U.S., the female of which is jet-black with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of its abdomen.

black widow

noun

1. an American spider, Latrodectus mactans , the female of which is black with red markings, highly venomous, and commonly eats its mate

Word History and Origins

Origin of black widow¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

That also helps you to avoid other venomous animals that live in the park, including scorpions and black widow spiders.

From Los Angeles Times

Both have hourglass markings, but the black widow’s is bright red, while the brown widow’s is orange.

From Los Angeles Times

Arachnophobia can make humans flee at the sight of a brown recluse, black widow or even a daddy long legs, but animal predators of spiders know no such fear.

From Science Daily

“It’s a black widow,” she announced to them.

From Literature

This will get your spidey sense tingling: There’s a type of spider that looks like a black widow—but packs a much less potent bite.

From National Geographic