emerald ash borer

noun

: a metallic-green Asian beetle (Agrilus planipennis) accidentally introduced into the U.S. and having a destructive larva that bores into the wood of ash trees

Examples of emerald ash borer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The University of Minnesota announced on Tuesday a new study that found certain fungi in the state can kill the invasive emerald ash borer beetle. Cole Premo, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 The emerald ash borer, first detected near Detroit in 2002, had spread to surrounding states, like the insect equivalent of a wildfire. Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025 The trees were planted last October by the city in partnership with the St. Paul nonprofit Tree Trust to replace the riverside canopy destroyed by the emerald ash borer. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025 Now emerald ash borer is killing millions of native ash trees. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emerald ash borer

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emerald ash borer was in 2002

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Cite this Entry

“Emerald ash borer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emerald%20ash%20borer. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

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