Examples of lepidoptera in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait from 1940, two gossamer lepidoptera have alighted on her head.
—
Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2025
Oak trees alone can support more than 540 species of lepidoptera.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Many lepidoptera are picky eaters and will dine only on certain plants.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
This watch sends butterflies around the dial as violets dance in an imaginary breeze for 12 seconds before returning those tiny lepidoptera to display the time on a retrograde scale.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
While in the Eje Cafetero, check-out the lepidoptera at Jardin Botánico de Quindío, where some 50 species flit about a netted enclosure. Yellow butterflies flew around Gabriel García Márquez's grandparents' house in Aracataca, where he was born and lived as a child.
—Christopher Baker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2022
Want to explore your local lepidoptera?
—Catherine Hoffman, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2017
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.
Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2025
Oak trees alone can support more than 540 species of lepidoptera.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Many lepidoptera are picky eaters and will dine only on certain plants.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
This watch sends butterflies around the dial as violets dance in an imaginary breeze for 12 seconds before returning those tiny lepidoptera to display the time on a retrograde scale.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
While in the Eje Cafetero, check-out the lepidoptera at Jardin Botánico de Quindío, where some 50 species flit about a netted enclosure. Yellow butterflies flew around Gabriel García Márquez's grandparents' house in Aracataca, where he was born and lived as a child.
—Christopher Baker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2022
Want to explore your local lepidoptera?
—Catherine Hoffman, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Lepidoptera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lepidoptera. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lepidoptera
plural noun
lep·i·dop·tera
ˌlep-ə-ˈdäp-tə-rə 
: insects that are lepidopterans
Medical Definition
lepidoptera
noun plural
lep·i·dop·tera
ˌlep-ə-ˈdäp-tə-rə
1
capitalized
: a large order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usually covered with overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae are caterpillars
2
: insects of the order Lepidoptera
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
