-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
house dust mite
noun
: either of two widely distributed dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus) that commonly occur in house dust and often induce allergic responses (such as runny nose or sneezing) and asthma
… house dust mites—which eat human skin scales—could grow to very large numbers, not only in mattresses and pillows, but also in carpets, upholstered furniture, and even in clothing and window curtains, particularly in warm, humid houses.—Discover
Examples of house dust mite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The list of allergens that SLIT can help fix is much smaller—at the moment, only short ragweed pollen, grasses, and house dust mites—and only one of these at a time.
—Kathleen Felton, SELF, 10 June 2024
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near house dust mite
Cite this Entry
“House dust mite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/house%20dust%20mite. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
house dust mite
nounˈhau̇s-ˌdəst-
: either of two widely distributed dust mites of the genus Dermatophagoides (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) that commonly occur in house dust and often induce allergic responses (such as runny nose or sneezing) and asthma
… house dust mites—which eat human skin scales—could grow to very large numbers, not only in mattresses and pillows, but also in carpets, upholstered furniture, and even in clothing and window curtains, particularly in warm, humid houses.—Discover
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share