Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

gata

noun
ga·ta | \ˈgätə\
plural -s

Definition of gata 

: a shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) of the warmer parts of the Atlantic ocean

— called also nurse shark

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for gata

American Spanish, from Spanish, female cat, from Late Latin catta cat

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gata

Dictionary Entries near gata

gasworks

gas zone

gat

gata

gatch

gatchwork

gate

Statistics for gata

Look-up Popularity

More from Merriam-Webster on gata

Spanish Central: Translation of gata

Comments on gata

What made you want to look up gata? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

brouhaha

a state of commotion or excitement

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games