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 proposal calls for a renovation of the center, as well as a 7.2-acre expansion, adding a restaurant, sports medicine clinic, pro-shop, virtual reality training center, kids’ club and monarch butterfly garden. —Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Here, large masses of monarch butterflies cluster together on stands of pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees to protect themselves from the elements, forming an incredible display of natural art. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

Like other milkweeds, swamp milkweed is a host to monarch butterfly larvae. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025

The beloved monarch butterfly caterpillar is famously able to eat only milkweed, a small group of plants native to North America and Colorado. —Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monarch butterfly

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

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