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gaster

noun
gas·​ter | \ ˈga-stÉ™r How to pronounce gaster (audio) \

Definition of gaster

: the enlarged part of the abdomen behind the pedicel in hymenopterous insects (such as ants)

Examples of gaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Using a type of fluorescent microscopy, researchers from Pennsylvania State University watched fungal colonization in ants from the gaster, the rear end of the abdomen, to the head—and found no trace of fungal cells in the brain. — Jennifer Lu, National Geographic, "How a parasitic fungus turns ants into 'zombies'," 18 Apr. 2019 The winter ants also store their food reserves in their gasters, or rear ends, which gives them a pretty spectacular silhouette. — Aimee Levitt, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Books / Science Beneath Chicago lies an entire second city of ants," 6 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gaster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of gaster

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gaster

Greek gastēr

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