house dust mite

noun

: either of two widely distributed dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus) that commonly occur in house dust and often induce allergic responses (such as runny nose or sneezing) and asthma

… house dust mites—which eat human skin scales—could grow to very large numbers, not only in mattresses and pillows, but also in carpets, upholstered furniture, and even in clothing and window curtains, particularly in warm, humid houses.

—Discover

Examples of house dust mite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The list of allergens that SLIT can help fix is much smaller—at the moment, only short ragweed pollen, grasses, and house dust mites—and only one of these at a time. —Kathleen Felton, SELF, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

house dust mite

noun

ˈhau̇s-ˌdəst-

: either of two widely distributed dust mites of the genus Dermatophagoides (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) that commonly occur in house dust and often induce allergic responses (such as runny nose or sneezing) and asthma

… house dust mites—which eat human skin scales—could grow to very large numbers, not only in mattresses and pillows, but also in carpets, upholstered furniture, and even in clothing and window curtains, particularly in warm, humid houses.

—Discover