dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī 

: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage

broadly : odonate

Illustration of dragonfly

Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Young builders can create a vibrant peacock, dragonfly, or butterfly, each with posable features, like the peacock’s feathers and the dragonfly’s and butterfly’s wings. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024

The centerpiece of each room is a pale gray studded headboard, set against wallpaper that brings the outside in — delicate birds perch on branches while dragonflies and butterflies seem to dance across the wall. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

In the meantime, smaller creatures, like a dragonfly, hovered over the pond while yellow wasps and bees took their turn to drink and collect water to take back to their hives. —Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 3 Sep. 2024

About eight to 10 different species account for the lakefront dragonfly swarms, according to Jackson. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly -ˌflī 

: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly