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
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.
Local Moose lodge closed due to rodent droppings, fruit flies South Sacramento Moose Lodge No. 255, 8156 Florin Road in Sacramento, had five food safety violations on Tuesday, May 20. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025 The sterile fruit flies will be released due to an infestation of the Mediterranean fruit fly, also known as the Medfly, the department said. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 8 May 2025 Or mostly robotic, at least—the fruit flies the researchers used would occasionally go their own way, despite strong inducements to stay with the program. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025 Exotic fruit flies pose a particular risk to American agriculture, including the citrus and berry industries. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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

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