fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Examples of fruit fly 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 first occurred in May, when inspectors found fruit flies in the back kitchen, The Charlotte Observer reported. Evan Moore july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2025 King said that his farm uses a measurement called degree-days to track temperatures, with which fruit flies move very predictably. Sophia Valchine, Freep.com, 9 July 2025 Any type of fly can make its way indoors, including fruit flies and bottle flies, but the most common is house flies. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 June 2025 The sterile fruit flies are part of the Sterile Insect Technique, and will disrupt the natural mating cycle of the Medfly, officials said, adding that the sterile flies will mate with wild females, leading to no offspring and reducing the number of Mediterranean fruit flies. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruit fly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruit fly was circa 1753

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Cite this Entry

“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Medical Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

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