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
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.
The researchers experimented on a Drosophila – fruit fly – model, examining the F-actin in the brains of naturally aging animals. New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024 In 2013, neuroscientist Davi Bock and his team at the at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus dipped an adult female fruit fly brain into a hardening chemical solution. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 Unlike moths and fruit flies, human beings bereft of memory, even as poor a memory as Montaigne’s or my own, tend to become disoriented and confused. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024 Gnats, fruit flies or drain flies were found at several places to eat, including Terra Mediterranean Restaurant at 2405 Dallas Parkway, Taverna Legacy at 7400 Windrose Ave., The Brass Tap at 5805 Preston Road and Bottle Rockets at 5800 Legacy Drive. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near fruit fly

Cite this Entry

“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fruit fly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!