flea

noun

: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

Illustration of flea

Illustration of flea
Phrases
flea in one's ear
: rebuke
sent him away with a flea in his ear

Examples of flea 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.
Her skull was exposed, and her tiny body was crawling with fleas. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025 Seresto large dog flea and tick collar: on sale for $47.98 (20% off) Original price: $59.98 Fleas and ticks are abundant in the summer. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025 Since its launch four years ago, Dutch has completed almost 700,000 visits and offers treatment options for more than 150 conditions, including providing flea and tick medication and treatments for allergies and joint pain. Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 The situation escalated when the poster became frustrated with H’s minimal efforts to address the flea problem. Ashley Vega, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flea

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flea was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Flea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flea. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

flea

noun
: any of an order of small wingless bloodsucking insects with a hard body and legs used for leaping

Medical Definition

flea

noun
: any of the order Siphonaptera comprising wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals see cat flea, chigoe sense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea

More from Merriam-Webster on flea

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