borer

noun

bor·​er ˈbȯr-ər 

1

: a tool used for boring

2

a

: shipworm

b

: an insect that bores in the woody parts of plants

Examples of borer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For this same reason, summer squash plants that experienced early generations of squash bugs or vine borers might be best removed at this point, instead of utilizing their space for quick-growing fall root crops or leafy greens. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026

Plus, starting new edible crops in July also avoids some pests, such as squash vine borers, which may have moved through their life cycle and won’t affect your baby plants. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Boring Insects The stalk borer is a purple and cream-striped caterpillar that can attack tomato plants and cause wilting and death of the plant. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 June 2026

The extracts and oils are derived commercially from citrus peels—limonene, pinene, and terpinene—and repel carpenter ants, cowpea weevils, lesser grain borers, German cockroaches, and other insects. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing borer

• corn borer
• emerald ash borer
• European corn borer
• lesser cornstalk borer
• lesser peach tree borer
• peach tree borer
• southwestern corn borer

Rhymes for borer

• corer
• horror
• maurer
• scorer
• storer
• explorer
• restorer

Kids Definition

borer

noun

bor·​er ˈbōr-ər 

ˈbȯr-

1

: one that bores

especially : a tool used for boring

2

a

: shipworm

b

: an insect that bores in the woody parts of plants