any spider of the family Araneidae (Argiopidae or Epeiridae) of the order Araneida, a large and widely distributed group noted for their orb-shaped webs. More than 2,500 species are known.

Notable among them are the silk spiders (silk spider) (subfamily Nephilinae), so called because of the great strength of their silk, which is sometimes used in the manufacture of textiles. The garden spiders (garden spider) (subfamily Argiopinae), common in grassy areas, are brightly coloured—yellow and black or red and black.