earthworm

noun

earth·​worm ˈərth-ˌwərm 

: a terrestrial annelid worm (class Oligochaeta)

especially : any of a family (Lumbricidae) of numerous widely distributed hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil by means of setae and feed on decaying organic matter

Examples of earthworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The earthworms around Sacramento will look a little different on Saturday. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The goliath birdeater is an ambush predator and mostly feeds on earthworms, insects, frogs, and toads. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026

In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Remember that plants will derive their nutrients from the soil, and microbes in the soil — think bacteria, fungi and earthworms — make those nutrients available to plants. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for earthworm

• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• infirm
• midterm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm

Kids Definition

earthworm

noun

earth·​worm -ˌwərm 

: a long slender annelid worm that lives in damp earth, moves with the aid of bristles, and feeds on decaying organic matter