borer

American  

[bawr-er, bohr-] / ˈbɔr ər, ˈboʊr- /

noun

1. a person or thing that bores or pierces.

2. Machinery. a tool used for boring; auger.

3. Zoology.

   1. any of several insects that bore into trees, fruits, etc., especially a beetle that bores into the woody part of plants.

   2. any of various mollusks, worms, etc., that bore into wood, stone, coral, or shells.

4. a marsipobranch fish, as a hagfish, that bores into other fishes to feed on their flesh.

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borer British  

/ ˈbɔːrə /

noun

1. a machine or hand tool for boring holes

2. any of various insects, insect larvae, molluscs, or crustaceans that bore into rock or plant material, esp wood See also woodborer corn borer marine borer rock borer

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Etymology

Origin of borer

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; bore ², -er ¹

Example Sentences

Ideally, he'd plant a variety that could resist the coffee berry borer, a beetle that feasts on coffee cherries, and that would ripen with greater uniformity.

From Salon • Jul. 24, 2024

The goldspotted oak borer is just 14 miles from the Santa Monica Mountains’ 600,000 oak trees and threatens to devastate forests throughout California, harming wildlife and increasing fire risks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2024

This was the work of the goldspotted oak borer, explained Durbin, forestry division chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024

Twisting the handle of the corkscrew-like borer, Buhl extracts a long, thin sample of the tree’s inner growth rings.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2023

Scientists in Czechoslovakia are experimenting with protozoa against webworms and other insect pests, and in the United States a protozoan parasite has been found to reduce the egg- laying potential of the corn borer.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson