tarantula
noun
-tə-lə
Note: Tarantulas of the western hemisphere possess barbed, irritating, detachable hairs on the back of the abdomen which may be kicked off as projectiles when the spider is threatened. It is thought that the presence of these defensive hairs may explain the limited aggressiveness of New World tarantulas and the minimal effect (such as redness or swelling) of their venom on humans. Tarantulas of the eastern hemisphere, however, lack these irritating hairs, tend to display greater aggressiveness, and are more likely to inflict painful bites with venom that may sometimes cause severe systemic reactions.
Richard ConniffRick WeissDanielle PoulosExamples of tarantula in a Sentence
Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Kids can build block houses, send video postcards, climb a rock wall, and crawl through a human-sized ant hill while observing the museum’s collection of insects, millipedes and tarantulas included.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023
When a doctor attempts to formulate a super-nutrient for the benefit of humanity, his chemical reactions cause his tarantula to rapidly grow.
—Sarah Sprague, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023
With the ability to create anything with his purple crayon, Harold opens a world of possibilities, from creating terrifying flying tarantulas to producing an airplane on the fly.
—Tatiana Tenreyro, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
One night, Jakub faces the bathroom mirror and observes what looks like a small tarantula crawling around under his skin, until its legs pop out of his nose and mouth.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024
No pets allowed, but wildlife — squirrels, birds, the occasional coyote or tarantula — abounds.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024
Like most spider bites, tarantula bites can cause some swelling, itching, and irritation.
—Emilia Benton, Women's Health, 30 June 2023
The frame came alive like a giant tarantula, leaving us giddy with the ease of assembly.
—Melanie D.g. Kaplan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
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“Tarantula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarantula. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tarantula
noun
Medical Definition
tarantula
noun
-ˈrant-ᵊl-ə
-ˈrant-ᵊl-ˌē
Note: Tarantulas of the western hemisphere possess barbed, detachable, irritating hairs on the back of the abdomen which may be kicked off as projectiles when the spider is threatened. It is thought that the presence of these defensive hairs may explain the limited aggressiveness of New World tarantulas and the minimal effect (such as redness or swelling) of their venom on humans. Tarantulas of the eastern hemisphere, however, lack these irritating hairs, tend to display greater aggressiveness, and are more likely to inflict painful bites with venom that may sometimes cause severe systemic reactions.
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