vampire bat

noun

Definition of vampire bat

: any of several bats (Desmodus rotundus, Diaemus youngi, and Diphylla ecaudata of the subfamily Desmodontinae of the family Phyllostomidae) of Mexico and Central and South America that feed on the blood of birds and mammals and especially domestic animals and that are sometimes vectors of disease and especially of rabies; also : any of several other bats (as of the families Megadermatidae and Phyllostomidae) that do not feed on blood but are sometimes reputed to do so

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See vampire bat defined for kids

Recent Examples of vampire bat from the Web

The expansion also includes a new nocturnal house, with night-loving species like Seba and vampire bats, night monkeys and zebra tarantulas.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "What's a cavy? You can now see 3 of them at the Audubon Zoo," 22 May 2018
Mexico’s efforts to curb vampire bats due to rabies threats also unintentionally impacted the lesser long-nosed bat.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Once Rare Nectar-Feeding Bat Removed From U.S. Endangered Species List," 20 Apr. 2018
But even with their new insights into vampire bats, researchers find the blood-sucking mammals somewhat mystifying.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "How Vampire Bats Can Survive on a Diet of Blood," 24 Feb. 2018
Every performance today contains at least traces of a lost world of courtiers, etiquette and aristocratic graces, even if the subject matter is magic swans or vampire bats.

— marilyn bailey, star-telegram, "Music plays as big a role as choreography in the intriguing 'Henry VIII,' 'Seven Sonatas' | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 1 Mar. 2018
The unique opportunity that vampire bats offer is twofold.

— jackson landers, Smithsonian, "What a Vampire Bat Can Teach Us About the Economics of Friendship," 31 May 2017
In one part of the exhibit, a vampire bat flies away from its mount.

— jennifer billock, Smithsonian, "Five Augmented Reality Experiences That Bring Museum Exhibits to Life," 29 June 2017
The saliva of a vampire bat contains an anti-clotting agent called desmoteplase, which is used to protect against strokes.

— justin jacobs, Indianapolis Star, "Swallow some 'Poison' at seductive new exhibit at the Indiana State Museum," 18 Oct. 2017
Thanks to a local anesthetic in their spit, vampire bats are able to drink blood from their prey without being detected.

— smithsonianmag.com, "How Vampire Bats Suck Blood for 30 Minutes Unnoticed," 30 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vampire bat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vampire bat

1790

in the meaning defined above

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VAMPIRE BAT Defined for English Language Learners

vampire bat

noun

Definition of vampire bat for English Language Learners

: a bat from Central and South America that sucks the blood of people and animals

VAMPIRE BAT Defined for Kids

vampire bat

noun

Definition of vampire bat for Students

: a bat of tropical America that feeds on the blood of birds and mammals

Medical Dictionary

vampire bat

noun

medical Definition of vampire bat

: any of several Central and South American bats (Desmodus rotundus, Diaemus youngi, and Diphylla ecaudata) that feed on the blood of birds and mammals and especially domestic animals and that are sometimes vectors of disease and especially of rabies; also : any of several other bats that do not feed on blood but are sometimes reputed to do so