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; see origin at bore ², -er ¹

Example Sentences

The goldspotted oak borer is native to Arizona, where the ecosystem is adapted to it and it doesn’t kill many trees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

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 reaching the scenic coastal mountain range was described as “the worst case scenario for Los Angeles County” in a 2018 report prepared by Durbin.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024

The biochar — which the city produces from trees blown down in storms or damaged by the emerald ash borer beetle — traps carbon, conserves water and improves the soil.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2023

It is worth noting that natural forces had been heavily relied on for control of the corn borer.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson