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

Illustration of monarch butterfly

Examples of monarch butterfly 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 population of monarch butterflies, for example, dropped to the second-lowest level on record at their overwintering areas in Mexico last year. Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 23 July 2025 The Mariposa Butterfly Festival has become as traditional as the annual winter arrival of monarch butterflies that inspired the priest. AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 Sacramento is a crucial pit stop in the migration of monarch butterflies across Northern California. Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025 At the same time, the population of western monarch butterflies has also seen a decline. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monarch butterfly

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monarch butterfly was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Monarch butterfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monarch%20butterfly. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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

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