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Definition of sphex
sphex
/ˈsfɛks/
sphex
Plural:sphexes
sphex Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of various solitary digger wasps of the genus Sphex, which typically construct burrows in the ground and provision them with paralyzed insects for their offspring.
Example
"The entomologist observed the sphex meticulously digging a burrow in the sandy soil before dragging a paralyzed katydid inside."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sphex• Rhymes for sphex
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From New Latin Sphex, derived from Ancient Greek sphēx (σφήξ), meaning 'wasp'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sphex. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sphex