weaver ant

noun

: any of various ants (especially genus Oecophylla) that build nests from leaves bound together with silk secreted by larvae

Examples of weaver ant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Researchers are studying a species of ant, the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina, that can move vertically amid trees by building a ladder using its own body. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023 Looking up at a tree in the southwest Indian district of Coorg, Gordon Ramsay holds a bag and sways on his feet in an attempt to be in the right place to catch a weaver ant nest. Jill K. Robinson, National Geographic, 20 May 2020 Ants are highly sought food sources in many parts of the world: The black weaver ant is popular in China, India and Sri Lanka, and leafcutter species are quite popular in Mexico. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 25 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weaver ant was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near weaver ant

Cite this Entry

“Weaver ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weaver%20ant. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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