carpenter bee

noun

: any of various solitary bees (genera Xylocopa and Ceratina) that nest in wood

Examples of carpenter bee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Like most bees, the sting of the carpenter bee can be mildly painful, but only the females can sting and only when agitated or threatened. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025 Spray the tunnel opening with a product labeled for carpenter bees. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 June 2025 Bumblebees also behave differently than carpenter bees. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025 A lot of times that happens with our bigger native bees: bumblebees, carpenter bees, things of that size. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpenter bee was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Carpenter bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpenter%20bee. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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