: any of a family (Formicidae) of colonial hymenopterous insects with a complex social organization and various castes performing special duties
1
antenna
2
antonym
Antarctica
1
a
: one that performs (a specified action) : personal or impersonal agent
claimant
coolant
b
: thing that promotes (a specified action or process)
expectorant
2
: one connected with
annuitant
3
: thing acted upon (in a specified manner)
inhalant
1
: performing (a specified action) or being (in a specified condition)
somnambulant
2
: promoting (a specified action or process)
expectorant
Examples of ant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
Spray the perimeter of your house with insecticide to deter ants from entering in the first place.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
This is the tale, also found in Aesop, of the insect that sings away the summer while the ant works to prepare for the winter.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 7 May 2024
Eliminate ants to control aphids, mealy bugs and scale.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
The scientists found that the ants' nocturnal rest phase and daily activity was suppressed ahead of seismic activity, and their standard daily routine did not resume until the next day.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 2 May 2024
Much like other insects, keeping tidy is a matter of survival for ants.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024
Repellents, including chalk and essential oils, only work to throw ants off their trail.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Officials said traffic detours will begin today while crews work to create an overpass for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, snakes, and even ants.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
Noun
During another federal monitor inspection, visitors found unsanitary conditions including live roaches, ants, water bugs, fruit flies, gnats, and mouse droppings.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
Spray the perimeter of your house with insecticide to deter ants from entering in the first place.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
This is the tale, also found in Aesop, of the insect that sings away the summer while the ant works to prepare for the winter.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 7 May 2024
Eliminate ants to control aphids, mealy bugs and scale.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
The scientists found that the ants' nocturnal rest phase and daily activity was suppressed ahead of seismic activity, and their standard daily routine did not resume until the next day.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 2 May 2024
Much like other insects, keeping tidy is a matter of survival for ants.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024
Repellents, including chalk and essential oils, only work to throw ants off their trail.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Officials said traffic detours will begin today while crews work to create an overpass for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, snakes, and even ants.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ant
Cite this Entry
“Ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ant. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share