insectary

noun

in·​sec·​ta·​ry ˈin-ˌsek-tə-rē How to pronounce insectary (audio)
in-ˈsek-
plural insectaries
: a place for the keeping or rearing of living insects

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The lab has its own insectary, Corley remarked, which hatches mosquitoes to study the transmission of arboviruses, including Zika, dengue and West Nile. New York Times, 23 Nov. 2021 At an insectary at UC Irvine, Dr. Anthony James has created mosquitoes that can pass on malaria resistance to some of their offspring. NBC News, 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insectary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insectary was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near insectary

Cite this Entry

“Insectary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insectary. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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