Illustration of deer tick
deer tick
noun
: an ixodid tick (Ixodes scapularis synonym I. dammini) of the eastern U.S. and Canada that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease
called also black-legged tick
Examples of deer tick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition, more people may live near deer ticks than compared to a few decades ago.
—
Seth Roeser, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
It is most commonly seen in areas better known for Lyme disease — the Northeast and Midwest parts of the United States — because it is transmitted by the same tick, the black-legged deer tick, Ixodes scapularis.
—Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
What ticks to look out for One of the primary tick species to be wary of in the U.S. is the black-legged tick, also called the deer tick or the bear tick.
—Margie Cullen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Both women reported being bitten by ticks, which suggests that other species — including Ixodes scapularis, also called black-legged or deer ticks — may also be associated with alpha-gal syndrome, though much more rarely.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deer tick
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.
Seth Roeser, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
It is most commonly seen in areas better known for Lyme disease — the Northeast and Midwest parts of the United States — because it is transmitted by the same tick, the black-legged deer tick, Ixodes scapularis.
—Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
What ticks to look out for One of the primary tick species to be wary of in the U.S. is the black-legged tick, also called the deer tick or the bear tick.
—Margie Cullen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Both women reported being bitten by ticks, which suggests that other species — including Ixodes scapularis, also called black-legged or deer ticks — may also be associated with alpha-gal syndrome, though much more rarely.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deer tick
Cite this Entry
“Deer tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deer%20tick. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
deer tick
noun
: a tick of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini) that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share