horsefly
noun
horse·fly
ˈhȯrs-ˌflī 
: any of a family (Tabanidae) of swift usually large dipteran flies with bloodsucking females
Examples of horsefly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The whine of mosquitoes probing for just one millimeter of flesh undefended by DEET was constant, set off by a counterpoint buzz of horseflies circling my head.
—
Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
Horses wearing an all-grey coat received the most landings by horseflies, followed by horses wearing coats with large black triangles, with the fewest horsefly landings on small checkerboard patterns (Figure 2A).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
That's why commercial horsefly traps, or Manitoba traps as they are called, have their capture jar at the upper end, into which the horsefly must inevitably crawl to its well-deserved death.
—The Editors, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2020
Greenhead Fly Bites GeXeS / Wikimedia Commons Also known as salt marsh horseflies, these critters look like standard flies, but are much bigger with a shiny green head.
—Women's Health, 1 May 2023
But as for the cough, well, growing up in a swamp, coughing is easy, especially when the horsefly goes down a wrong pipe [Coughs].
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Dec. 2022
The female twitches nonchalantly, as if bitten by a horsefly, and returns to eating.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2020
Then head to Puerto Montt to stock up on food, repellent for mosquitoes and horseflies, sunscreen, and plenty of cash.
—National Geographic, 5 July 2019
Their summer body suit has a finish that wards off mosquitoes, horseflies, and ticks, and a UPF of 40 to block harmful rays.
—Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018
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Rusty Foster, Washington Post, 23 July 2024
Horses wearing an all-grey coat received the most landings by horseflies, followed by horses wearing coats with large black triangles, with the fewest horsefly landings on small checkerboard patterns (Figure 2A).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
That's why commercial horsefly traps, or Manitoba traps as they are called, have their capture jar at the upper end, into which the horsefly must inevitably crawl to its well-deserved death.
—The Editors, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2020
Greenhead Fly Bites GeXeS / Wikimedia Commons Also known as salt marsh horseflies, these critters look like standard flies, but are much bigger with a shiny green head.
—Women's Health, 1 May 2023
But as for the cough, well, growing up in a swamp, coughing is easy, especially when the horsefly goes down a wrong pipe [Coughs].
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Dec. 2022
The female twitches nonchalantly, as if bitten by a horsefly, and returns to eating.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2020
Then head to Puerto Montt to stock up on food, repellent for mosquitoes and horseflies, sunscreen, and plenty of cash.
—National Geographic, 5 July 2019
Their summer body suit has a finish that wards off mosquitoes, horseflies, and ticks, and a UPF of 40 to block harmful rays.
—Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Horsefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsefly. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
horsefly
noun
horse·fly
ˈhȯrs-ˌflī
: any of a family of swift usually large two-winged flies with bloodsucking females
Medical Definition
horsefly
noun
horse·fly
ˈhȯrs-ˌflī
plural horseflies
: any of the swift usually large dipteran flies with bloodsucking females that comprise the family Tabanidae
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