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dust mite

American  
[duhst mahyt] / ˈdʌst ˌmaɪt /

noun

  1. any of various mites, especially Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae, that ingest shed skin cells and may cause allergic reactions.

dust mite British  

noun

  1. either of two mites, Dermatophagoides farinae or D. pteronyssinus , that feed on shed human skill cells. Their excrement is a household allergen associated with respiratory allergies and asthma

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dust mite

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The way it steers the immune system towards fighting an infection also seemed to reduce the response to house dust mite allergens – which are a trigger of allergic asthma.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

First, Fassett removed the IL-31 gene from mice and exposed them to the house dust mite, a common, itchy allergen.

From Science Daily • Oct. 13, 2023

Three tablets treat grass or ragweed allergies, and a fourth gained approval in 2017 for dust mite allergies.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2023

And to complete the cycle, it’s thought these little spores, which are most commonly found in pillows, might feed on dust mite droppings.

From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2020

Not when a dust mite could be lurking in her midst.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.