fire ant
noun
: any of a genus (Solenopsis) of fiercely stinging omnivorous ants
especially
: imported fire ant
Examples of fire ant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Small black ants are generally harmless, but a colony of leafcutter ants can annihilate food crops, and aggressive fire ants build huge mounds and deliver a painful sting when disturbed.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
The insect measures just two-tenths of an inch long and nests in damp leaf litter, rotting logs and mulch, making accidental contact far more likely than with more visible species like the fire ant.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Carpenter ants, for example, can damage buildings by tunneling into wood, while fire ants are infamous for their painful stings and bites.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026
Young children should not be playing in a yard full of fire ant mounds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
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Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
The insect measures just two-tenths of an inch long and nests in damp leaf litter, rotting logs and mulch, making accidental contact far more likely than with more visible species like the fire ant.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Carpenter ants, for example, can damage buildings by tunneling into wood, while fire ants are infamous for their painful stings and bites.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026
Young children should not be playing in a yard full of fire ant mounds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fire ant
Cite this Entry
“Fire ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fire%20ant. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fire ant
noun
: any ant of the genus Solenopsis
especially
: imported fire ant
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