housefly

noun

house·​fly ˈhau̇s-ˌflī 

: a cosmopolitan dipteran fly (Musca domestica) that is often about human habitations and may act as a mechanical vector of diseases (such as typhoid fever)

also : any of various flies of similar appearance or habitat

Examples of housefly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its preferred host is generally the housefly (Musca domestica), though the fungus has also been known to infect fruit flies. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

Instead, Brundle slowly morphs into a housefly with some pretty putrid habits and a tendency to randomly lose body parts. —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024

This insect trap for unwanted pests Zevo Flying Insect Trap for Indoors Save 8% on this best-selling trap for fruit flies and houseflies. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024

Many of the bugs that humans encounter — the mosquitoes and houseflies, cockroaches and bed bugs — are, in a word, disgusting. —Benji Jones, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

housefly

noun

house·​fly -ˌflī 

: a two-winged fly that is common about human living places and may spread disease (as typhoid fever)

Medical Definition

housefly

noun

house·​fly -ˌflī 

plural houseflies

: a cosmopolitan dipteran fly of the genus Musca (M. domestica) that is often found about human habitations and may act as a mechanical vector of diseases (as typhoid fever)

also : any of various flies of similar appearance or habitat