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.
Officers on the scene found at least 19 dogs in poor condition, including severe flea infestations, visible tumors and signs of malnourishment. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025 District spokesperson Brian Heap said that the school reported site-wide a flea issue in May 2024, found to be caused by a dead animal in the garden area. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025 San Marcos tried a flea flicker on its last-gasp play, but it was sniffed out by the Carlsbad defense. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025 The water flea is actually a crustacean, not a flea, and gets its name from its swimming motion, which resembles the movements of a flea. Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 17 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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