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giant anteater
noun
: a large bushy-tailed anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) of Central and South America
Examples of giant anteater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Studies have found similar shifts in other species, including giant anteaters and cheetahs.
—Ethan Freedman, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023
The study is based on data collected by location-tracking tags affixed to 2,300 animals from 43 species, including brown bears in Alaska, giant anteaters in Brazil, reindeer in Norway, lions in Kenya and Asian elephants in Myanmar.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 8 June 2023
And while only a handful of U.S. zoos have koalas, Palm Beach is home to two, Sydney and Ellin, along with sloths, giant anteaters, flamingos and many other species.
—Beth Harpaz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2023
Ben's exhibit is housed in the southeast section of the zoo neighboring capybaras and giant anteaters.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2023
With some tweaking, the map should help Conservation International and the Guyanese government pinpoint more areas to protect, such as those with rare species like the giant anteater, and others where some activity, such as low-impact logging, could continue under REDD+.
—Hannah Hoag, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2014
Eight species have been released in Iberá, including the giant anteater, pampas deer, red-and-green macaw, tapir, and, most controversially, the jaguar.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Apr. 2022
Although there are four species of anteaters, the giant anteater is the largest and the only one with claws.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2021
Wildlife, including scores of white-tailed and mule deer, a black-tailed marmoset, and a giant anteater.
—Erin Prater, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giant anteater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near giant anteater
Cite this Entry
“Giant anteater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giant%20anteater. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
giant anteater
noun
: a large anteater of Central and South America that has shaggy gray fur and a bushy tail
More from Merriam-Webster on giant anteater
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about giant anteater
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