sow bug

noun

: wood louse
especially : a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball

Examples of sow bug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Like many tailwaters, spring creeks hold bug-sized crustaceans like scuds and sow bugs, essentially freshwater shrimp that are easily imitated with simple patterns on a natural drift. Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 13 July 2023 These include ants, fleas, crickets, spiders, earwigs, millipedes, silverfish, mites, palmetto bugs, and sow bugs. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sow bug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sow bug was in 1750

Dictionary Entries Near sow bug

Cite this Entry

“Sow bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow%20bug. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sow bug

noun
: wood louse
especially : a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball

More from Merriam-Webster on sow bug

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