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
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Illustration of flea

Illustration of flea

Examples of flea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
William Bendix wouldn’t have hurt a flea. Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026 Nitenpyram was previously approved by the FDA in 2000, under the brand name Capstar, for treating fleas. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 June 2026 The cases are in cattle, goats and a dog in Texas and New Mexico, according to the Department of Agriculture, and the FDA on Thursday approved the use of generic Nitenpyram tablets—an oral treatment usually used to kill fleas—in dogs, puppies, cats and kittens infected with screwworm. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 The adults will jump off, like a flea, when plants are disturbed. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flea

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flea. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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

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