monarch butterfly

noun

: a large migratory American butterfly (Danaus plexippus) that has orange-brown wings with black veins and borders and a larva that feeds on milkweed

Illustration of monarch butterfly

Examples of monarch butterfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As their chants echoed through the numerous subdivisions along their path, many who walked wore monarch butterfly insignias, a symbol for migrants because of the butterflies’ cross-border migration. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

Since 2021, Solana Beach has also participated in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to support monarch butterflies by maintaining a pollinator garden at City Hall. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

Milkweed is the only plant monarch butterflies can lay their eggs on and feed from as caterpillars. —Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 28 May 2026

In the fall, hundreds of monarch butterflies flock to the Sacred Oaks garden, a peaceful outdoor wedding venue. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monarch butterfly

• canaliculi
• dwi
• micronuclei
• oversimplify
• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli

Kids Definition

monarch butterfly

noun

: a large orange and black American butterfly that migrates in large numbers in the spring and fall and whose larva feeds on milkweed