any of numerous dipterous insects of the family Culicidae, the females of which suck the blood of animals and humans, some species transmitting certain diseases, as malaria and yellow fever.
Military. Mosquito, a twin-engined, two-seat British fighter and bomber of World War II, made largely of plywood and having a top speed of 380 miles per hour (610 km/h).
First recorded in 1575–85; from Spanish, equivalent to mosc(a) “fly” (from Latin musca ) + -ito diminutive suffix
A mosquito is a tiny stinging insect that leaves an itchy welt on your skin. Between its annoying bites and its ability to spread disease, the mosquito is not the most popular of insects (unlike the fair ladybug). Male mosquitoes feed on nectar and live only a few days, while females need to feed on blood in order for their eggs to develop and be laid. Female mosquitoes, therefore, can be a nuisance on summer evenings, and can even be downright dangerous in tropical areas where they often spread diseases like malaria. In Spanish, mosquito means "little gnat," from mosca, "gnat or fly."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Over the last 12 months more than 700 potential sightings and photos were submitted to the ongoing Mosquito Scotland project.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025
One of the United States’ most beloved supper clubs is Mosquito Supper Club in New Orleans.
From Salon • Apr. 8, 2025
He flew Mosquito combat aircraft in World War Two and he is awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire for his charity work.
From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has employed mosquito treatments in the area to reduce mosquito populations and breeding sources, District Manager Jason Farned said in a statement Monday.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2024
“But you went turtle-ing for years off the Mosquito Coast and your eyes are good.”
From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
