crane fly

noun

: any of a family (Tipulidae) of long-legged slender dipteran flies that resemble large mosquitoes but do not bite

Examples of crane fly in a Sentence

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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.
Our experts said there's no reason to get rid of crane flies. — Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 There's no specific homemade repellent for crane flies. — Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crane fly was in 1658

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“Crane fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crane%20fly. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

crane fly

noun
: any of numerous long-legged slender two-winged flies that resemble large mosquitoes but do not bite

More from Merriam-Webster on crane fly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crane fly

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