monarch butterfly

American  

[mon-erk buht-er-flahy, mon-ahrk] / ˈmɒn ərk ˌbʌt ərˌflaɪ, ˈmɒn ɑrk /

noun

monarch butterflies plural

1. a large, deep-orange butterfly, Danaus plexippus, having black and white markings, the larvae of which feed on the leaves of milkweed: highly valued as a pollinator, the monarch butterfly is currently not evaluated by the IUCN, but the protection of the species and its habitat is central to several conservation efforts.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• monarch butterflies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of monarch butterfly

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monarch butterfly

Working with other volunteers, Smee has helped remove invasive plants and plant native species, including 30 oak trees that attract local wildlife like the endangered monarch butterfly, mountain lions and bobcats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026

Roswell residents know how to have fun, and the city hosts all kinds of annual festivals ranging from a summertime ice cream social and monarch butterfly celebration to outdoor movies.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2025

In North America, the monarch butterfly population fell by 90% in the last 20 years.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 10, 2024

Or makeup artist Monste Ribé, nominated for “Society of the Snow,” whose gown seemed crafted of monarch butterfly wings.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2024

Bat considered telling Mr. Grayson about the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, but the teacher was busy unlacing his orange high-tops and getting ready to lead the group in yoga.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold