digger wasp

noun

: a burrowing wasp
especially : any of numerous usually solitary wasps (superfamily Sphecoidea) that dig nest burrows in the soil and provision them with insects or spiders paralyzed by stinging

Examples of digger wasp 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.
Cicada killer wasps, also known as the eastern cicada killer or cicada hawks, are a species of the large digger wasp that preys on cicadas. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024 Such is the life of the Australian plague locust, a common pest that is targeted by the black digger wasp. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2011 However, your photo does look similar to a great golden digger wasp which in spite of its large size is not particularly aggressive. oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of digger wasp was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near digger wasp

Cite this Entry

“Digger wasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digger%20wasp. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

digger wasp

noun
dig·​ger wasp
ˈdig-ər-
: a burrowing wasp
especially : one that digs nests in the soil and stocks them with insects or spiders paralyzed by stinging
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