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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Such is not the case with the experimental new polymer, however, which draws inspiration from gecko toes. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025 This assemblage stays stuck to the body using electric forces known as van der Waals interactions—the same forces that help geckoes cling cling to walls. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2015 Some of the team also helped discover a second new species of gecko from Sa Kaeo Province. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025 The brown, blotchy gecko blends in with the surrounding rock and looks relatively smooth. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gecko.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gecko. Accessed 12 Mar. 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

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