midge

noun

: a tiny dipteran fly (such as a chironomid)

Examples of midge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The mating calls of male Panama cross-banded tree frogs are synchronized to confuse bats and midges. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Climate change has worsened the spread of the virus, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as global warming impacts midge populations. Léa Pernelle, Fortune Europe, 21 Oct. 2024 Historically it was confined to tropical regions, but by 2006 there was enough warming in western Europe that some of those midges moved north and infected animals. Lois Parshley, Scientific American, 1 May 2018 Plus, the annoying midges are gone and an array of reds, oranges, and yellows dot the majestic landscape. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for midge 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English migge, from Old English mycg; akin to Old High German mucka midge, Greek myia fly, Latin musca

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of midge was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near midge

Cite this Entry

“Midge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midge. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

midge

noun
: a very small fly : gnat

Medical Definition

midge

noun
: any of numerous tiny dipteran flies (especially families Ceratopogonidae, Cecidomyiidae, and Chironomidae) many of which are capable of giving painful bites and some of which are vectors or intermediate hosts of parasites of humans and various other vertebrates see biting midge

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