flea

noun

: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

Illustration of flea

Illustration of flea
Phrases
flea in one's ear
: rebuke
sent him away with a flea in his ear

Examples of flea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It also could be transmitted through the bite of an infected flea. Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Cats are particularly susceptible and can catch the illness after eating infected rodents or being bitten by an infected flea. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The county advised avoiding contact with rodents and fleas as much as possible, as well as discouraging pet cats from hunting rodents. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Also, be sure to budget for health care maintenance items like preventatives for heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks. Laurie Larsh, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Humans can get infected with bubonic plague either through flea bites or direct contact with the tissues or fluids of an infected animal.2 The plague is treatable with common antibiotics, so health authorities are not worried about an outbreak following the Oregon case. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024 Humans can become infected via flea bites or by touching contaminated fluid or tissue from an infected animal. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 People should also avoid feeding squirrels and chipmunks, stay away from other wild rodents and take measures to prevent flea bites when outdoors. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Using insect repellent if you may be exposed to rodent fleas during activities like hiking or working outdoors. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flea was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near flea

Cite this Entry

“Flea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flea. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

flea

noun
: any of an order of small wingless bloodsucking insects with a hard body and legs used for leaping

Medical Definition

flea

noun
: any of the order Siphonaptera comprising wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals see cat flea, chigoe sense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea

More from Merriam-Webster on flea

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