Definition of sand flea
1
: a flea (such as a chigoe) found in sandy places
The so-called sand flea that people encounter on vacation beaches is nothing more than a common flea that is breeding outdoors in the soil.— Jane E. Brody
2
: any of various amphipod crustaceans (family Talitridae) found on ocean beaches that feed on decaying organic matter, typically burrow into the sand during the day, and are capable of leaping like fleas : beach flea
These little shorebirds are generally in small groups, chasing the receding breakers on twinkling feet, probing for sand fleas and other crustaceans …— Dennis Puleston
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share sand flea
Time Traveler for sand flea
The first known use of sand flea was in 1796
See more words from the same year