fruit bat

noun

: any of a family (Pteropodidae of the suborder Megachiroptera) of often large tropical and subtropical Old World bats that feed on ripe fruit, pollen, and nectar and that usually use visual navigation rather than echolocation

called also flying fox

Illustration of fruit bat

Illustration of fruit bat
  • fruit bat with fruit

Examples of fruit bat 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.
Experts believe African fruit bats may be the source of the virus. Jane Weaver, NBC news, 29 May 2026 Outbreaks typically develop in areas of Africa, starting in species like antelope, fruit bats and nonhuman primates. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 Ebola virus is transmitted to people from wild animals, such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates, with fruit bats believed to be the natural hosts of the orthoebolavirus. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 18 May 2026 As the sun sets, the fruit bats swoop among the trees as couples and young families lounge on large poolside cabanas, downing languid cocktails and listening to live guitar strums before heading for a casual dinner. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fruit bat

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruit bat was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Fruit bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20bat. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

fruit bat

noun
: any of numerous large Old World fruit-eating bats of warm regions

called also flying fox

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