thrips

noun

plural thrips
: any of an order (Thysanoptera) of small to minute sucking insects many of which feed often destructively on plant juices

Examples of thrips in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Outdoor spiders are hard at work, devouring home and garden pests such as ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and thrips. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024 However, some thrips, including rose thrips, onion thrips, and western flower thrips, damage plants. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2024 Although different plants need to be pruned at different times of the year, winter pruning is usually the best option for avoiding thrips. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2024 Marigolds Marigolds are known to repel multiple types of pests, such as cabbage worms, slugs, thrips, and white flies. Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thrips 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, woodworm, from Greek

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrips was in 1795

Dictionary Entries Near thrips

Cite this Entry

“Thrips.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrips. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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