Illustration of dragonfly
dragonfly
noun
drag·on·fly
ˈdra-gən-ˌflī 
: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage
broadly
: odonate
Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sudden arrival of a massive swarm of dragonflies caused chaos on a Rhode Island beach.
—
Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024
The somersaults seem to be a byproduct of the dragonfly flicking its tail to get rid of excess water.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025
Participants will be given a glimpse inside the state’s first facility dedicated to raising freshwater mussels, federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonflies and other aquatic species, district officials said in a news release.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Researchers found that 24 percent of ––including dragonflies, fish, and crustaceans––are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered due to multiple environmental threats.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dragonfly
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Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024
The somersaults seem to be a byproduct of the dragonfly flicking its tail to get rid of excess water.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025
Participants will be given a glimpse inside the state’s first facility dedicated to raising freshwater mussels, federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonflies and other aquatic species, district officials said in a news release.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Researchers found that 24 percent of ––including dragonflies, fish, and crustaceans––are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered due to multiple environmental threats.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dragonfly
Cite this Entry
“Dragonfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragonfly. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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