: a winged insect (such as an ant or termite) of a kind having winged and wingless forms
Examples of alate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com, 22 May 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The alates flying from their nests can travel up to 300 yards.
—Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com, 22 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Alate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share