Venus flytrap

noun

Venus fly·​trap -ˈflī-ˌtrap How to pronounce Venus flytrap (audio)
: an insectivorous plant (Dionaea muscipula) of the sundew family of the Carolina coast with the leaf apex modified into an insect trap

called also Venus's-flytrap

Illustration of Venus flytrap

Illustration of venus flytrap

Examples of Venus flytrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Find peace in the Zen Garden, a traditional Japanese space for meditation, or gander at the Carnivorous Bog Garden, with Venus flytraps with jaws wide open. Judy Garrison, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024 Carnivorous plants have evolved all kinds of traps and tricks to capture their prey, from the snapping jaws of Venus flytraps to the slippery walls of pitcher plants. Bykevin McLean, science.org, 13 Feb. 2024 Perhaps Wilmington’s greatest boast is its Venus flytraps. John Jeremiah Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2024 Life How Venus flytraps give scientists insights on consciousness and anesthesia Anesthesia causes animals and humans to lose consciousness. Big Think, 24 June 2024 For a bit more nature, head to Carolina Beach State Park (home to the Venus flytrap) to try your hand at kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024 This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park, with some of the area's finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus flytrap plants along its path. Tracey Minkin, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024 The petite plant kit has nine different types of tropical plants in Lego brick format that result in a collection of prickly pears, jade plants, and Venus flytraps, popping out of terracotta-reminiscent pots. Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2024 The monsters on display are meant to perk us up (our heroes are chased by mutant grasshoppers, who get eaten by mutant Venus flytraps), but they, too, are unleashed in an onslaught that’s more random than not. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Venus flytrap was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near Venus flytrap

Cite this Entry

“Venus flytrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus%20flytrap. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Venus flytrap

noun
variants or Venus's-flytrap
: an insect-eating plant that grows along the Carolina coast and has the tip of each leaf formed into an insect trap
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