rhinoceros beetle

noun

: any of various large chiefly tropical scarab beetles (subfamily Dynastinae) having projecting horns on thorax and head

Illustration of rhinoceros beetle

Illustration of rhinoceros beetle

Examples of rhinoceros beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There's a beetle that walks on water, and there's a beetle, the rhinoceros beetle, is stronger than almost any other animal. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Weapons also are probably molded by the type of fighting and where it’s done — as borne out by work on the shapes of rhinoceros beetle horns by evolutionary biologist Erin McCullough. — Kendall Powell, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2019 The holdup caused a public outcry because the rule changes are intended to help the Agriculture Department stem the movement of commodities infested by pests, including coconut rhinoceros beetles. — CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024 The coconut rhinoceros beetle is native to Africa, China, Myanmar, India and Southeast Asia, according to the council. — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhinoceros beetle was in 1681

Rhymes for rhinoceros beetle

See All Rhymes for rhinoceros beetle

Browse Nearby Words

rhinoceros auklet
rhinoceros beetle
rhinoceros bird
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rhinoceros beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhinoceros%20beetle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rhinoceros beetle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rhinoceros beetle

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