flea

noun

ˈflē 

: 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

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

Use insect repellent that contains 20 percent to 30 percent DEET to prevent flea bites. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 10 July 2024

Bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted by fleas and cycles naturally through wild rodents. —David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

These infected animals and their fleas serve as long-term reservoirs for the bacteria. —Susan Scutti, CNN, 5 July 2024

Even just a few flea bites can transmit enough bacteria to infect a single human. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 June 2024

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

Phrases Containing flea

• beach flea
• fit as a flea
• flea beetle
• flea-bitten
• flea collar
• flea-flicker
• flea in one's ear
• flea market
• jigger flea
• sand flea
• water flea

Kids Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

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

Medical Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

: 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