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

Illustration of flea

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
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.
The kitten was in a sad condition: overheated, wounded, filthy, and covered in fleas and feces. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025 To prevent catching the plague, the WHO recommends taking precautions against flea bites and avoiding handling animal carcasses. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025 People can also donate supplies—including flea and tick meds, vaccines, plastic airline kennels for medium to large dogs, potty pads, dawn dish soap, and more—by dropping them off in the main visitor parking lot at 1156 West Cesar Chavez in Austin, Texas, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time. Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 July 2025 Adoption cost: $400, includes microchip, vaccines, worm and flea treatment Adoption procedure: Fill out Lovebugs Rescue’s online application. Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 24 May 2025 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 3 Aug. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on flea

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