anteater

noun

ant·​eat·​er ˈant-ˌē-tər How to pronounce anteater (audio)
: any of several mammals that feed largely or entirely on ants or termites: such as
a
: any of a family (Myrmecophagidae) of New World edentates with a long narrow snout, a long tongue, and large salivary glands that includes the giant anteater and tamandua
b
: pangolin
c
: echidna
d
: aardvark

Examples of anteater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The preserve is home to wild cats, anteaters, armadillos, and sloths. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026 The armadillo's closest animal relative is the anteater. — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025 To think of humans as a species that revels in possibility—unlike, say, anteaters or mice, who are not exactly seeking out novelty—seems self-evident. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 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, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for anteater

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anteater was in 1668

Phrases Containing anteater

Rhymes for anteater

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Browse Nearby Words

ante-
anteater
antebellum
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Cite this Entry

“Anteater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anteater. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

anteater

noun
ant·​eat·​er ˈant-ˌēt-ər How to pronounce anteater (audio)
: any of several mammals (as an echidna or aardvark) that feed on ants

More from Merriam-Webster on anteater

Nglish: Translation of anteater for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anteater

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