nematode

noun

nem·​a·​tode ˈne-mə-ˌtōd 

ˈnē-

: any of a phylum (Nematoda or Nemata) of elongated cylindrical worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-living in soil or water

called also roundworm

Examples of nematode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Try to find a spot for new okra plantings where root knot nematodes have not affected previous crops. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025

Beech leaf disease is believed to be caused by a particular type of nematode, which is a microscopic, threadlike worm. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

The nematode, known to ecologists as Litylenchus crenatae mccannii and first discovered in 2012, causes beech leaf disease. —Robert Sullivan, Curbed, 9 June 2025

Like ants, nematodes didn’t appear to display any obvious role differentiation or hierarchy within the tower structures, Perez said. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek nēmat-, nēma

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nematode

• golden nematode
• meadow nematode
• root-knot nematode

Rhymes for nematode

• afterload
• episode
• internode
• microcode
• multimode
• nesselrode
• overflowed
• overload
• overrode
• radioed
• torpedoed
• trematode

Kids Definition

nematode

noun

nem·​a·​tode ˈnem-ə-ˌtōd 

: any of a major group of long cylinder-shaped worms that are parasites in animals or plants or live in soil or water

called also roundworm

Medical Definition

nematode

1 of 2 adjective

nem·​a·​tode ˈnem-ə-ˌtōd 

: of or relating to the phylum Nematoda

nematode

2 of 2 noun

: any worm of the phylum Nematoda