bloodworm

noun

Save Word

blood·worm | \ ˈbləd-ˌwərm

Definition of bloodworm

1 : any of various reddish annelid worms (as of genera Glycera or Tubifex) often used as bait

2 : any of several strongyle worms (genus Strongylus) that are parasitic in the large intestine of horses

Examples of bloodworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As water temperatures plunge and ice covers the surface, the bluegill buffet shifts to bloodworms, freshwater shrimp and scuds, and even tiny zooplankton. — Outdoor Life, 27 Jan. 2020 But Miike, adapting a manga by Hiroaki Samura, has something else in store for Manji: a creepy old woman shows up and bestows upon him the gift of immortality, inserting magical bloodworms under his skin that will keep him alive forever. — Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader, 9 Mar. 2018 Maine’s catch of bloodworms has dropped from more than 600,000 pounds in 2004 to less than half that last year. — Patrick Whittle, The Seattle Times, 27 Apr. 2017 Maine’s catch of bloodworms has dropped from more than 600,000 pounds in 2004 to less than half that last year. — Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2017 These baits are a good imitation of a bloodworm, which is a common food source for a variety of fish in most waters. — Terry Wickstrom, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2017 Maine harvesters are by far the U.S.’s largest suppliers of sandworms and bloodworms, twisty, fat critters that can grow longer than a foot and have teeth that inflict a painful bite. — Patrick Whittle, The Seattle Times, 27 Apr. 2017 The price for bloodworms at the dock has more than doubled since 2001, to nearly $16 per pound, and that cost is eventually borne by consumers. — Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2017 An October study in the journal Fish and Fisheries said bloodworms are the most valuable marine worm species on the retail bait market, and sandworms aren’t far behind. — Patrick Whittle, The Seattle Times, 27 Apr. 2017 See More

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

Learn More About bloodworm

Dictionary Entries Near bloodworm

blood work

bloodworm

bloodwort

Statistics for bloodworm

Cite this Entry

“Bloodworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloodworm. Accessed 30 Jun. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for bloodworm

bloodworm

noun

blood·worm | \ ˈbləd-ˌwərm

Medical Definition of bloodworm

: any of several comparatively large bloodsucking nematode worms of the genus Strongylus that are parasitic in the large intestine of horses and have larvae which wander in the viscera and sometimes lodge in the intestinal blood vessels causing colic or more rarely a fatal aneurysm

— called also palisade worm, red worm