dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī How to pronounce dragonfly (audio)
: 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

Illustration of dragonfly

Illustration of dragonfly

Examples of dragonfly 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.
Countless insects and other invertebrates Also not surprising is that the Okefenokee, being a swamp, is home to thousands of invertebrate species — butterflies, moths, bees, dragonflies, beetles, spiders and other soft-bodied creatures. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 Much of the prior research on dragonfly interactions relied on visual observations or single-camera recordings. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026 The report noted that various groups have made a habit of consuming beetles, caterpillars, wasps, mealworms, and dragonflies. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 The insects and their eggs are also a food source for other insects like dragonflies, as well as birds, bats and fish. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dragonfly

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragonfly was in 1626

Browse Nearby Words

dragonfish
dragonfly
dragon fruit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dragonfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragonfly. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dragonfly

noun
drag·​on·​fly -ˌflī How to pronounce dragonfly (audio)
: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly

More from Merriam-Webster on dragonfly

Nglish: Translation of dragonfly for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dragonfly

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