Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Ornithoptera

noun
Or·​ni·​thop·​tera | \ ˌȯ(r)nəˈthäpt(ə)rə\

Definition of Ornithoptera

: a genus of large butterflies of the Malay archipelago closely related to the genus Papilio and having the females much larger and much less brightly colored than the males

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Ornithoptera

New Latin, from ornith- + -ptera

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Ornithoptera

Statistics for Ornithoptera

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Ornithoptera

What made you want to look up Ornithoptera? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

ecstatic

Listen to the pronounciation of ecstatic

marked by a state of overwhelming emotion

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games