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carpenter ant
noun
: an ant (especially genus Camponotus) that gnaws galleries especially in dead or decaying wood
Examples of carpenter ant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, carpenter ants, amongst other communities, have lost this ability due to evolution.
—Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 3 July 2024
But the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus)—a centimeter-long insect native to the southern United States—lost that gland over evolutionary time.
—Byhumberto Basilio, science.org, 2 July 2024
But over time, some species — including Camponotus floridanus, also known as carpenter ants — have evolutionarily lost them.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 July 2024
Florida carpenter ants were observed performing surgery on each other.
—Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for carpenter ant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carpenter ant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1883, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near carpenter ant
Cite this Entry
“Carpenter ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpenter%20ant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
carpenter ant
noun
: any of several ants that nest and gnaw passageways in dead or decaying wood
More from Merriam-Webster on carpenter ant
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carpenter ant
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