Formosan termite

noun

For·​mo·​san termite fȯr-ˈmō-sᵊn- How to pronounce Formosan termite (audio)
fər-,
-zᵊn-
: a large termite (Coptotermes formosanus of the family Rhinotermitidae) native to Taiwan and southern China that forms very large, usually underground colonies and has been introduced into Hawaii and the southern U.S. where it is a destructive pest of wooden structures

called also Formosan subterranean termite

Word History

Etymology

Formosa (Taiwan)

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Formosan termite was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near Formosan termite

Cite this Entry

“Formosan termite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Formosan%20termite. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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