-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
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.
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 30 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share