carpenter ant

noun

: an ant (especially genus Camponotus) that gnaws galleries especially in dead or decaying wood

Illustration of carpenter ant

Illustration of carpenter ant

Examples of carpenter ant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The fungus that hijacks ants like a ghastly marionette Penn State The humble carpenter ant is the unsuspecting victim of this nightmare. New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025 While the essential oils and extracts distilled from citrus peels are effective at repelling insects ranging from carpenter ants to cockroaches, these compounds only work when applied in high concentrations, much higher than what is present in the peel itself. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025 Researchers have observed Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) biting off the injured legs of their nestmates. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024 However, carpenter ants, amongst other communities, have lost this ability due to evolution. Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 3 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for carpenter ant

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpenter ant was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Carpenter ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpenter%20ant. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

carpenter ant

noun
: any of several ants that nest and gnaw passageways in dead or decaying wood

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