botfly

noun

bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
: any of various stout dipteran flies (family Oestridae) with larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues of various mammals including humans

Examples of botfly 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.
Several also showed signs of untreated medical conditions, and their coats were embedded with botfly eggs and hoof neglect. — Chris Barilla, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 The video shows a type of botfly, Cuterebra ruficus, experts told USA TODAY. — Dezimey Kum, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of botfly was circa 1775

Rhymes for botfly

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“Botfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botfly. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

botfly

noun
bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
: any of various stout two-winged flies whose larvae are parasitic in various mammals

Medical Definition

botfly

noun
bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
plural botflies
: any of various stout dipteran flies of the family Oestridae that have larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues of various mammals including humans
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