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anthill

/ˌæntˈhɪl/
/ˈænthɪl/
IPA guide

Other forms: anthills

The mounded nest that ants build out of dirt or sand is called an anthill. You can call a similar mound built by termites an anthill too.

While an anthill is a kind of nest, it is generally formed when ants dig underground colonies and deposit the extra soil in one spot. In this way, an anthill is more of a doorway to a whole series of tunnels and nests, although the anthill itself will sometimes also contain nests. In some cases, ants shape the anthill into a specific, deliberate shape.

Definitions of anthill
  1. noun
    a mound of earth made by ants as they dig their nest
    synonyms: formicary
    see moresee less
    type of:
    hammock, hillock, hummock, knoll, mound
    a small natural hill
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