Illustration of Venus flytrap
Venus flytrap
noun
Venus fly·trap
-ˈflī-ˌtrap 
: an insectivorous plant (Dionaea muscipula) of the sundew family of the Carolina coast with the leaf apex modified into an insect trap
called also Venus's-flytrap
Examples of Venus flytrap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rainwater is also necessary to keep carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews, and butterworts in good health.
—
Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 18 Feb. 2026
The Venus flytrap’s aquatic cousin — the waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) — also has rapid-closing traps, only they’re tuned to underwater prey.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
In addition to history, arts, and culture, Wilmington is also one of the only places in the country where the carnivorous Venus flytraps grow wild.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
My orchids can outwit other life forms, and so can my Venus flytrap (currently choking on a common house fly).
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
We’re currently obsessed with the nine arid and tropical plants, including a Venus flytrap, in the Tiny Plants collection and the accident-prone Hei Hei rooster from Disney’s Moana.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 15 June 2025
Some carnivorous plants ensnare insects and other small invertebrates, like the famous Venus flytraps of North Carolina and South Carolina’s marshes.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
The Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. says that Venus flytraps require specific care, including acidic soil, high humidity, and plenty of sunlight.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 18 Feb. 2026
The Venus flytrap’s aquatic cousin — the waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) — also has rapid-closing traps, only they’re tuned to underwater prey.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
In addition to history, arts, and culture, Wilmington is also one of the only places in the country where the carnivorous Venus flytraps grow wild.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
My orchids can outwit other life forms, and so can my Venus flytrap (currently choking on a common house fly).
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
We’re currently obsessed with the nine arid and tropical plants, including a Venus flytrap, in the Tiny Plants collection and the accident-prone Hei Hei rooster from Disney’s Moana.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 15 June 2025
Some carnivorous plants ensnare insects and other small invertebrates, like the famous Venus flytraps of North Carolina and South Carolina’s marshes.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
The Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. says that Venus flytraps require specific care, including acidic soil, high humidity, and plenty of sunlight.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Venus flytrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus%20flytrap. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
