: 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
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
: 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, chigoesense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea
Share