monarch butterfly

noun

: a large migratory American butterfly (Danaus plexippus) that has orange-brown wings with black veins and borders and a larva that feeds on milkweed

Illustration of monarch butterfly

Illustration of monarch butterfly

Examples of monarch butterfly 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.
In many other states, however, homeowners report continuing conflicts with HOAs, including over xeriscaping in Utah, native wildflowers in Texas and habitat for monarch butterflies in Virginia. — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 Across the planet, most populations of monarch butterflies—in Spain, in Hawaii—are likely descended from vagrants that veered off the Mexico migration path. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 One of his passions was to boost the monarch butterfly population in the Duneland region. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 Give it full sun and a spot with good drainage to attract pollinators like bees and monarch butterflies to your garden. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for monarch butterfly

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monarch butterfly was in 1890

Rhymes for monarch butterfly

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Browse Nearby Words

monarchal
monarch butterfly
monarchess
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Cite this Entry

“Monarch butterfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monarch%20butterfly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

monarch butterfly

noun
: a large orange and black American butterfly that migrates in large numbers in the spring and fall and whose larva feeds on milkweed

More from Merriam-Webster on monarch butterfly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarch butterfly

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