Illustration of dragonfly
dragonfly
noun
drag·on·fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī 
: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage
broadly : odonate
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web These tips come from Wisconsin dragonfly expert and entomologist Ken Tennessen, who built a small pond on his property for close encounters with these beneficial flying insects. 
Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. The Courier-Journal, 10 Aug. 2022 Biologist Tim Beaulieu holding two dragonfly larvae. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. The Courier-Journal, 10 Aug. 2022 Then a dragonfly landed on her windshield, calming her nerves. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Once hatched, a nymph will spend most of their lives in this stage before crawling out of the water to turn into a dragonfly, per the British Dragonfly Society. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2021 There are hands-on activity stations for kids and outdoor activities like hopscotch courts, a water feature, a dragonfly bench and toadstool hideaway in Exploratory Park, on the south side of Main Street across from the Original Cream Puff Pavilion. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2022 Next, consider an oversized dragonfly that can stretch its wings to an incredible 28 inches across. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 July 2022 See More
Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. The Courier-Journal, 10 Aug. 2022 Biologist Tim Beaulieu holding two dragonfly larvae. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. The Courier-Journal, 10 Aug. 2022 Then a dragonfly landed on her windshield, calming her nerves. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Once hatched, a nymph will spend most of their lives in this stage before crawling out of the water to turn into a dragonfly, per the British Dragonfly Society. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2021 There are hands-on activity stations for kids and outdoor activities like hopscotch courts, a water feature, a dragonfly bench and toadstool hideaway in Exploratory Park, on the south side of Main Street across from the Original Cream Puff Pavilion. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2022 Next, consider an oversized dragonfly that can stretch its wings to an incredible 28 inches across. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1626, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
dragonfly
noun
drag·on·fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī
plural dragonflies
: a large insect with a long slender body and four wings