carpenter ant

noun

: an ant (especially genus Camponotus) that gnaws galleries especially in dead or decaying wood

Illustration of carpenter ant

Illustration of carpenter ant

Examples of carpenter ant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Nests tucked into corners or under joists can also cause damage by trapping moisture and attracting secondary pests such as carpenter ants and termites. Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026 Identifying Carpenter Ants Black carpenter ants are the most common type. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026 Can lady beetles harm your home? Unlike termites or carpenter ants, lady beetles do not chew through walls, eat furniture or cause any other sort of structural damage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025 The fungus that hijacks ants like a ghastly marionette Penn State The humble carpenter ant is the unsuspecting victim of this nightmare. New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carpenter ant

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpenter ant was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Carpenter ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpenter%20ant. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

carpenter ant

noun
: any of several ants that nest and gnaw passageways in dead or decaying wood

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