anting

noun

ant·​ing ˈan-tiŋ How to pronounce anting (audio)
: bird behavior in which ants are rubbed on the feathers to obtain chemicals (such as formic acid) from the ants

Examples of anting in a Sentence

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Leahy discusses air conditioning (do birds sweat?), altitude, anting and apocalypse. Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anting was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near anting

Cite this Entry

“Anting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anting. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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