mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt 
: a structure or appendage near the mouth (as of an insect) especially when adapted for use in gathering or eating food
Examples of mouthpart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has piercing-sucking mouthparts with a straw-like stylet that sucks plant juices.
—
oregonlive, 24 June 2023
Ticks attach themselves to the skin of their host, using specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and feed on blood.
—Tiffany Acosta
arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2023
When ladybugs do bite, however, their mouthparts are not strong enough to break the skin.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
The best Thermacell mosquito repellents are designed to keep those disease-carrying insects and their razor-sharp mouthparts far away.
—John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023
The adults have vestigial mouthparts and cannot feed, and only live about a couple of weeks.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2023
The creature would inject a syringe-like mouthpart into a plant and suck up the juices.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 4 May 2010
During the feeding process, the female mosquito uses a mouthpart called the proboscis—which is also used to feed on flowers—to pierce the skin and feed on the blood.
—Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 8 June 2022
Mosquitoes, for instance, pierce the skin with their long, thin mouthparts, while certain biting flies boast serrated jaws that slash through flesh.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 2 Dec. 2019
oregonlive, 24 June 2023
Ticks attach themselves to the skin of their host, using specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and feed on blood.
—Tiffany Acosta
arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2023
When ladybugs do bite, however, their mouthparts are not strong enough to break the skin.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
The best Thermacell mosquito repellents are designed to keep those disease-carrying insects and their razor-sharp mouthparts far away.
—John Sass, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023
The adults have vestigial mouthparts and cannot feed, and only live about a couple of weeks.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2023
The creature would inject a syringe-like mouthpart into a plant and suck up the juices.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 4 May 2010
During the feeding process, the female mosquito uses a mouthpart called the proboscis—which is also used to feed on flowers—to pierce the skin and feed on the blood.
—Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 8 June 2022
Mosquitoes, for instance, pierce the skin with their long, thin mouthparts, while certain biting flies boast serrated jaws that slash through flesh.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 2 Dec. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mouthpart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mouthpart
Cite this Entry
“Mouthpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mouthpart. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt
: a bodily structure that is near the mouth (as of an insect) especially when used to gather or eat food
Medical Definition
mouthpart
noun
mouth·part
ˈmau̇th-ˌpärt
: a structure or appendage near the mouth especially of an insect
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