culex

noun

cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
: any of a large cosmopolitan genus (Culex) of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito (C. pipiens) of Europe and North America and vectors of the viruses causing Saint Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus

Examples of culex 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.
The Kansas Biological Survey has recorded 54 species in the Kansas City area, with the most common being the culex. — Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Weld County health officials said the virus had been identified in culex mosquitoes. — Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, gnat; akin to Old Irish cuil fly

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of culex was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

culet
culex
culgee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Culex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culex. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

culex

noun
cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
: any of a large genus of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito of Europe and North America

Medical Definition

culex

noun
cu·​lex ˈkyü-ˌleks How to pronounce culex (audio)
1
capitalized : a large cosmopolitan genus of mosquitoes that includes the common house mosquito (C. pipiens) of Europe and North America, a widespread tropical mosquito (C. quinquefasciatus synonym C. fatigans) which transmits some filarial worms parasitic in humans, and other mosquitoes which are vectors of the viruses causing Japanese B encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and West Nile fever
2
: a mosquito of the genus Culex
culicine
ˈkyü-lə-ˌsīn How to pronounce culex (audio)
adjective or noun
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