Illustration of wasp
- wasp 1
1
: any of numerous social or solitary winged hymenopterous insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting, and that are largely carnivorous and often provision their nests with insects or spiders killed or paralyzed by stinging for their larvae to feed on compare bee
2
: any of various hymenopterous insects (such as a chalcid or ichneumon wasp) other than wasps with larvae that are parasitic on other arthropods
variants
or Wasp
often attributive
sometimes disparaging
: an American of Northern European and especially British ancestry and of Protestant background
especially
: a member of the dominant and the most privileged class of people in the U.S.
Examples of wasp in a Sentence
Noun (2)
Most of the members of the club are wealthy WASPs.
The college had been known as a bastion of WASP privilege.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Plus, pairing zinnias with squash and zucchini can attract beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings, to gardens.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, scientists identified a previously unknown parasitic wasp from specimens trapped in amber 99 million years ago.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
An extinct species of parasitic wasp dating back nearly 99 million years was found preserved in amber, according to researchers.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasp
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.
Noun
Biological control: Parasitic wasps, predaceous beetles and birds assist in lowering sawfly populations.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Plus, pairing zinnias with squash and zucchini can attract beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings, to gardens.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, scientists identified a previously unknown parasitic wasp from specimens trapped in amber 99 million years ago.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
An extinct species of parasitic wasp dating back nearly 99 million years was found preserved in amber, according to researchers.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wasp
Cite this Entry
“Wasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wasp. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wasp
1 of 2 noun
ˈwäsp 
ˈwȯsp
: any of numerous winged insects related to the bees and ants that have a slender body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk and that in females and workers are usually capable of giving a very painful sting
WASP
2 of 2 noun
variants
or Wasp
: an American of northern European and Protestant background
—sometimes used disparagingly
Medical Definition
wasp
noun
: any of numerous social or solitary winged insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) of the order Hymenoptera that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share