plural geckos also geckoes
: any of numerous small chiefly tropical and nocturnal insectivorous lizards (family Gekkonidae)

Illustration of gecko

Illustration of gecko

Examples of gecko in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This one may look relaxed, but make no mistake—just like the Namib sand gecko, Agamas are built for survival. Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 The gecko is nocturnal and lives in and around limestone caves. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025 Each of a gecko's toe pads is made up of rows of tiny hair-like structures known as setae. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025 The gecko’s unique features and genetic divergence from related species led to its classification as a new species. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gecko

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Malay dialect geʔkok

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gecko was in 1774

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gecko.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gecko. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

gecko

noun
plural geckos or geckoes
: any of numerous small harmless chiefly tropical lizards that eat insects and are active at night

More from Merriam-Webster on gecko

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