termite
[ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt]
A termite is a small insect that eats wood.
You might have seen them at home or in parks - they look like tiny little ants with white stripes. When people talk about termites, they usually mean the damage these insects can cause to buildings and trees. They're considered pests because they eat away at the wood from inside out, often without anyone noticing until it's too late. If you have a wooden deck or fence, it's a good idea to check for termite infestations regularly.
How common is "termite"?
Word termite is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
termeswhite ant
verb
Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.
Real examples of "termite" in context
