fruit fly

noun

: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Examples of fruit fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In March, a quarantine was placed over La Mesa after multiple Mexican fruit flies were found. Kori McNair, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 But unlike fruit flies, these pests have black eyes (not red), distinctive humped backs, and heavier, thicker-veined wings. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 June 2026 Tiny fruit flies come in from outside, attracted to ripening produce on your kitchen counter, or they may be brought in on infested fruit. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 June 2026 Male fruit flies use their aedeagi to pierce their mates’ vaginal wall and inject peptides into their bloodstream, possibly to reduce their interest in other mates. Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fruit fly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruit fly was circa 1753

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Cite this Entry

“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

Medical Definition

fruit fly

noun
: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter

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