bug Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
  2. noun a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
    glitch.
  3. noun a small hidden microphone; for listening secretly
  4. noun insects with sucking mouthparts and forewings thickened and leathery at the base; usually show incomplete metamorphosis
    hemipteron; hemipterous insect; hemipteran.
  5. noun a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
    microbe; germ.
  6. verb annoy persistently
    badger; beleaguer; pester; tease.
    • The children teased the boy because of his stammer
  7. verb tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information
    wiretap; intercept; tap.
    • The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
    • Is this hotel room bugged?

WordNet

Bug noun
Etymology
OE. bugge, fr. W. bwg, bwgan, hobgoblin, scarecrow, bugbear. Cf. Bogey, Boggle.
Definitions
  1. A bugbear; anything which terrifies. Obs.
    Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. Shak.
  2. (Zoöl.) A general name applied to various insects belonging to the Hemiptera; as, the squash bug; the chinch bug, etc.
  3. (Zoöl.) An insect of the genus Cimex, especially the bedbug (C. lectularius). See Bedbug.
  4. (Zoöl.) One of various species of Coleoptera; as, the ladybug; potato bug, etc.; loosely, any beetle.
  5. (Zoöl.) One of certain kinds of Crustacea; as, the sow bug; pill bug; bait bug; salve bug, etc. ✍ According to present popular usage in England, and among housekeepers in America, bug, when not joined with some qualifying word, is used specifically for bedbug. As a general term it is used very loosely in America, and was formerly used still more loosely in England. "God's rare workmanship in the ant, the poorest bug that creeps." Rogers (Naaman). "This bug with gilded wings." Pope. Beau. & Fl.

Webster 1913