Guinea worm

noun

variants or guinea worm

: a slender, parasitic, nematode worm (Dracunculus medinensis) of tropical regions that has an adult female that often attains a length of over 3 feet (91.5 centimeters) and is the causative agent of dracunculiasis

Note: The Guinea worm undergoes larval development in small freshwater copepod crustaceans (genus Cyclops) which are ingested by humans in contaminated drinking water. When the Guinea worm larvae are released, they pass from the stomach and intestine to the thorax and abdomen for maturation and mating. Gravid females of typically 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) in length migrate through subcutaneous tissues towards the skin especially of the lower legs and feet. At the skin surface, the female worms form painful blisters from which they slowly emerge approximately 10 to 14 months following initial infection. Upon immersion in water, the female expels hundreds of thousands of young larvae.

Examples of Guinea worm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 1980s, UNICEF and partners took on Guinea worm, a debilitating parasitic disease. —Justin Hemenway, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

After leaving office, Mr. Carter embarked on a new Nobel Peace Prize-winning career of negotiating ends to conflicts, combating diseases like Guinea worm, monitoring elections and serving the poor. —Peter Baker, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

In 1986, the World Health Assembly called for the eradication of Guinea worm. —Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Carter’s deep sympathy for the victims of Guinea worm disease came in part from his background as a peanut farmer who grew up in a farmhouse with no electricity or running water. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025

For instance, there was Guinea worm progress in many countries. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025

When the Carter Center began eradication efforts against Guinea worm disease in 1986, about 3.5 million people across 21 countries were afflicted with the excruciating condition. —Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

In 1986, the World Health Assembly called for eradication of Guinea worm disease. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024

In 1995, Carter negotiated a two-month cease-fire in Sudan to allow health care workers there to more safely help eradicate Guinea worm disease, prevent river blindness, and vaccinate children against polio. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Guinea worm

• disaffirm
• ectoderm
• endoderm
• endosperm
• interfirm
• isotherm
• mesoderm
• periderm
• reaffirm
• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm

Medical Definition

Guinea worm

noun

variants or guinea worm

: a slender, tropical, parasitic nematode worm of the genus Dracunculus (D. medinensis) that has an adult female that often attains a length of over 3 feet (91.5 centimeters) and is the causative agent of dracunculiasis

Note: The Guinea worm undergoes larval development in tiny freshwater copepod crustaceans (genus Cyclops) which are ingested by humans in contaminated drinking water. When the Guinea worm larvae are released, they pass from the stomach and intestine to the thorax and abdomen for maturation and mating. Gravid females of typically 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) in length migrate through subcutaneous tissues towards the skin especially of the lower legs and feet. At the skin surface, the female worms form painful blisters from which they slowly emerge approximately 10 to 14 months following initial infection. Upon immersion in water, the female expels hundreds of thousands of young larvae.

called also Medina worm