: 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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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
: 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, chigoesense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea
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