anopheles

noun

anoph·​e·​les ə-ˈnä-fə-ˌlēz How to pronounce anopheles (audio)
: any of a genus (Anopheles) of mosquitoes that includes all mosquitoes which transmit malaria to humans
anopheline adjective or noun

Examples of anopheles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Carlson and others also have documented rapid range shifts in African anopheles mosquitoes over the last century. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek anōphelēs useless, from a- + ophelos advantage, help; akin to Greek ophellein to increase, Armenian aweli more

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anopheles was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near anopheles

Cite this Entry

“Anopheles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anopheles. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

anopheles

noun
anoph·​e·​les ə-ˈnäf-ə-ˌlēz How to pronounce anopheles (audio)
: any of a genus of mosquitoes that includes all mosquitoes which transmit malaria to human beings
anopheline adjective or noun

Medical Definition

anopheles

noun
anoph·​e·​les ə-ˈnäf-ə-ˌlēz How to pronounce anopheles (audio)
1
capitalized : a genus of mosquitoes that includes all mosquitoes that transmit malaria to humans
2
: any mosquito of the genus Anopheles
anopheles adjective
anopheline adjective or noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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