anteater

noun

ant·​eat·​er ˈant-ˌē-tər How to pronounce anteater (audio)
: any of several mammals that feed largely or entirely on ants or termites: such as
a
: any of a family (Myrmecophagidae) of New World edentates with a long narrow snout, a long tongue, and large salivary glands that includes the giant anteater and tamandua
b
c
d

Examples of anteater 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.
To think of humans as a species that revels in possibility—unlike, say, anteaters or mice, who are not exactly seeking out novelty—seems self-evident. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025 The pangolin is a peculiar-looking creature that looks like the cross between an anteater and an armadillo. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 June 2025 The zoo's anteaters will also move into a new habitat. Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025 Parque de Aventura Las Nubes Just over five minutes from the heart of San Juan del Sur is Parque de Aventura Las Nubes, a tropical nature preserve that protects sloths, monkeys, wildcats, anteaters, armadillos, and more than 100 species of birds. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for anteater

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anteater was in 1668

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Cite this Entry

“Anteater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anteater. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

anteater

noun
ant·​eat·​er ˈant-ˌēt-ər How to pronounce anteater (audio)
: any of several mammals (as an echidna or aardvark) that feed on ants

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