Fleming

¹ American  

[flem-ing] / ˈflɛm ɪŋ /

noun

1. a native of Flanders.

2. a Flemish-speaking Belgian.

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Fleming ² American  

[flem-ing] / ˈflɛm ɪŋ /

noun

1. Sir Alexander, 1881–1955, Scottish bacteriologist and physician: discoverer of penicillin 1928; Nobel Prize in Medicine 1945.

2. Ian (Lancaster), 1908–64, British writer of suspense novels.

3. Peggy (Gale), born 1948, U.S. figure skater.

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Fleming ¹ British  

/ ˈflɛmɪŋ /

noun

1. Sir Alexander . 1881–1955, Scottish bacteriologist: discovered lysozyme (1922) and penicillin (1928): shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1945

2. Ian ( Lancaster ). 1908–64, English author of spy novels; creator of the secret agent James Bond

3. Sir John Ambrose . 1849–1945, English electrical engineer: invented the thermionic valve (1904)

4. Renée . born 1959, US operatic soprano and songwriter

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Fleming ² British  

/ ˈflɛmɪŋ /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Flanders or a Flemish-speaking Belgian Compare Walloon

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Fleming ¹ Scientific  

/ flĕm′ĭng /

1. Scottish bacteriologist who discovered penicillin in 1928. The drug was developed and purified 11 years later by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, with whom Fleming shared the 1945 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. Fleming was also the first to administer typhoid vaccines to humans.

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Fleming ² Scientific  

1. British physicist and electrical engineer who devised the first electron tube in 1904. His invention was essential to the development of radio, television, and early computer circuitry. Fleming also helped develop electric devices designed for large-scale use, such as the electric lamp.

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Etymology

Origin of Fleming

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle Dutch Vlaeminc, equivalent to Vlaem- ( Flemish ) + -ing -ing ³; late Old English Flæming perhaps < Old Frisian

Example Sentences

This edition was curated and edited in collaboration with Joe Haberstroh and Mali Michelle Fleming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Iwamasa and Fleming are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

A federal investigation was launched in February 2025 after controversy over Blaire Fleming disrupted the 2024 volleyball season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Thompson and Fleming were released on bail ahead of their sentencing.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Mr. Fleming snapped to attention in the parlor.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly