any large stout-bodied dipterous fly of the family Tabanidae, the females of which suck the blood of mammals, esp horses, cattle, and humans
Also called: gadfly, cleg
Examples of 'horseflies' in a sentence
horseflies
Horseflies are a threat throughout the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
The virus is spread by biting insects such as fleas, mosquitoes and horseflies.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It's the same with horseflies on a country stroll.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is spread by biting insects such as fleas, mosquitoes and horseflies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a summer of horseflies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Horseflies in particular like hot weather, so they have become more active around breeding sites.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
A wet spring followed by a warm summer has provided the perfect breeding conditions for gnats, mozzies and horseflies.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Researchers both watched the animals and filmed them, recording the number of horseflies—which bite animals to obtain blood—that hovered nearby.
2019, 'Scientists Dressed Horses Up Like Zebras to Determine the Purpose of Stripes', Smithsonianhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-dressed-horses-zebras-determine-purpose-stripes-180971540/