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

The center of her altar included a Catrina, a female skeleton associated with the holiday, wearing a monarch butterfly shirt, a large lacey hat and a Catholic cross. — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Quiñonez-Piñón said the uniquely famous monarch butterfly helps draw attention to the threats facing insects and their vital role in sustaining plant life across the continent. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Chrisley embellished her look by including monarch butterflies in her hair and along her dress, adding green earrings, an emerald diamond necklace and a matching bracelet. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

However, in the last 20 years, the western monarch butterfly population has experienced a steep decline. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 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