insectivore
noun
in·sec·ti·vore
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌvȯr 
1
: any of an order (Insectivora) of small usually nocturnal mammals (such as moles, shrews, and hedgehogs) that feed mainly on insects
2
: an insectivorous plant or animal
Examples of insectivore in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Moreover, in every case, the ancestors were either insectivores or carnivores, with insect-eaters making the shift about three times more often than carnivores.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2025
Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
The lemurs and tenrecs of Madagascar, for example, are descended from primates and insectivores that used to be much more widespread.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
This tiny insectivore has an exceptionally fast metabolism, demanding near-constant feeding to survive.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
Among the species declines that have led to billions fewer birds in North America over the last half-century, grassland birds and aerial insectivores have been hit especially hard, having lost many bugs that once fed them.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2025
Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
The lemurs and tenrecs of Madagascar, for example, are descended from primates and insectivores that used to be much more widespread.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
This tiny insectivore has an exceptionally fast metabolism, demanding near-constant feeding to survive.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
Among the species declines that have led to billions fewer birds in North America over the last half-century, grassland birds and aerial insectivores have been hit especially hard, having lost many bugs that once fed them.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Insectivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insectivore. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insectivore
noun
in·sec·ti·vore
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌvō(ə)r
-ˌvȯ(ə)r
1
: any of an order of small mammals (as the moles, shrews, and hedgehogs) that are mostly insect-eating and active at night
2
: an insect-eating plant or animal
Medical Definition
insectivore
noun
in·sec·ti·vore
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌvō(ə)r, -ˌvȯ(ə)r
1
: any mammal of the order Insectivora
2
: an insectivorous plant or animal
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