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mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt
: a structure or appendage near the mouth (as of an insect) especially when adapted for use in gathering or eating food
Examples of mouthpart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has piercing-sucking mouthparts with a straw-like stylet that sucks plant juices.
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oregonlive, 24 June 2023
Ticks attach themselves to the skin of their host, using specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and feed on blood.
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Tiffany Acosta
arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2023
When ladybugs do bite, however, their mouthparts are not strong enough to break the skin.
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Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
The best Thermacell mosquito repellents are designed to keep those disease-carrying insects and their razor-sharp mouthparts far away.
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John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023
The adults have vestigial mouthparts and cannot feed, and only live about a couple of weeks.
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Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2023
The creature would inject a syringe-like mouthpart into a plant and suck up the juices.
—
Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 4 May 2010
During the feeding process, the female mosquito uses a mouthpart called the proboscis—which is also used to feed on flowers—to pierce the skin and feed on the blood.
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Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 8 June 2022
Mosquitoes, for instance, pierce the skin with their long, thin mouthparts, while certain biting flies boast serrated jaws that slash through flesh.
—
Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 2 Dec. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mouthpart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1799, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near mouthpart
Cite this Entry
“Mouthpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mouthpart. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt
: a bodily structure that is near the mouth (as of an insect) especially when used to gather or eat food
Medical Definition
mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt
: a structure or appendage near the mouth especially of an insect
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