mosquito

noun

mos·​qui·​to mə-ˈskē-(ˌ)tō 

plural mosquitoes also mosquitos

: any of a family (Culicidae) of dipteran flies with females that have a set of slender organs in the proboscis adapted to puncture the skin of animals and to suck their blood and that are in some cases vectors of serious diseases

mosquitoey

mə-ˈskē-tə-wē 

adjective

Illustration of mosquito

Examples of mosquito in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, according to the World Health Organization. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2024

These are the 10 most common for March Extra tip for bird baths Replace the water in baths frequently to prevent mosquitoes, algae and bacteria. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024

Since then, the mosquitoes that transmit the dengue viruses have been expanding their habitats and establishing new geographic footholds, and the U.S. is now firmly among them. —Stephen J. Thomas, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024

Orchids also have an important relationship with bees, flies, mosquitos and other insects that transport pollen from one plant to another. —Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024

That kept mosquitoes relatively dormant and people indoors to avoid the cold weather. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 9 Feb. 2024

Here are a few tips to keep mosquitoes, roaches, rats and more from invading your home. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024

Another flying pest that resembles the mosquito is the crane fly, also called mosquito hawks. —Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024

The disease is ripping through much of South America, where scientists say rising temperatures due to climate change have both extended the territorial range of the mosquito that carries dengue and increased its proliferation. —Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, diminutive of mosca fly, from Latin musca — more at midge

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mosquito

• anti-mosquito
• Asian tiger mosquito
• mosquito fish
• mosquito hawk
• mosquito net
• tiger mosquito
• yellow-fever mosquito

Kids Definition

mosquito

noun

mos·​qui·​to mə-ˈskēt-ō 

plural mosquitoes also mosquitos

: any of numerous two-winged flies of which the females have a needlelike structure of the mouth region adapted to puncture the skin and suck the blood of animals

mosquitoey

-ˈskēt-ə-wē 

adjective

Etymology

from Spanish mosquito "mosquito," literally "little fly," from mosca "fly"

Medical Definition

mosquito

noun

mos·​qui·​to mə-ˈskēt-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

plural mosquitoes also mosquitos

: any of numerous dipteran flies of the family Culicidae that have a rather narrow abdomen, usually a long slender rigid proboscis, and narrow wings with a fringe of scales on the margin and usually on each side of the wing veins, that have in the male broad feathery antennae and mouthparts not fitted for piercing and in the female slender antennae and a set of needlelike organs in the proboscis with which they puncture the skin of animals to suck the blood, that lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water, that include many species which pass through several generations in the course of a year and hibernate as adults or winter in the egg state, and that include some species which are the only vectors of certain diseases see aedes, anopheles, culex