potter wasp

American

noun

any of several mason wasps, especially of the genus Eumenes, that construct a juglike nest of mud.

potter wasp British

noun

any of various solitary wasps of the genus Eumenes, which construct vaselike cells of mud or clay, in which they lay their eggs: family Vespidae

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of potter wasp

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At first glance, the potter wasp appears to be riding a broomstick.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023