ant

1 of 6

noun

: any of a family (Formicidae) of colonial hymenopterous insects with a complex social organization and various castes performing special duties

ant

2 of 6

abbreviation (1)

1
antenna
2
antonym

Ant

3 of 6

abbreviation (2)

Antarctica

ant-

4 of 6

prefix

see anti-

-ant

5 of 6

noun suffix

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

-ant

6 of 6

adjective suffix

1
: performing (a specified action) or being (in a specified condition)
somnambulant
2
: promoting (a specified action or process)
expectorant
Phrases
ants in one's pants
: impatience for action or activity : restlessness

Examples of ant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Insects such as ants, bees, and beetles create burrows, just as arachnids like spiders and scorpions do. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Mint Mint can deter ants, aphids, flea beetles, and white cabbage moths. Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2024 Other creatures that may be displaced by floods include ants, rodents, spiders, reptiles, alligators and even household pets. Jen Christensen, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024 Weaver ants—forest-dwelling ants that live in the lowlands and ferociously prey on small invertebrates—might be gobbling up the birds’ food source and pushing them to higher elevations. Byalice Sun, science.org, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ant 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ante, emete, from Old English æmette; akin to Old High German āmeiza ant

Noun suffix

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from -ant, present participle suffix, from Latin -ant-, -ans, present participle suffix of first conjugation, from -a- (stem vowel of first conjugation) + -nt-, -ns, present participle suffix; akin to Old English -nde, present participle suffix, Greek -nt-, -n, participle suffix

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ant was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ant

Cite this Entry

“Ant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ant. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ant

1 of 4 noun
ˈant
: any of a family of small insects that are related to the bees and wasps and live in colonies in which different types of individuals perform special duties

ant-

2 of 4
see anti-

-ant

3 of 4 noun suffix
ənt,
ᵊnt
1
: one that performs a specified action
coolant
deodorant
2
: thing that is acted upon in a specified manner
inhalant

-ant

4 of 4 adjective suffix
1
: performing a specified action or being in a specified condition
propellant
2
: causing a specified action or process
Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Latin -ant (verb or adjective suffix)

More from Merriam-Webster on ant

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