earthworm

noun earth·worm \ ˈərth-ˌwərm \

Definition of earthworm

: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

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Recent Examples of earthworm from the Web

The ranks include not only fireflies but also some beetles, millipedes and earthworms.

— author: william j. broad, Alaska Dispatch News, "The deep seas are alive with light," 23 Aug. 2017
The new earthworms coming in are from all over Asia, and there are a number of different species.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Invasive earthworms also a problem," 20 Aug. 2017
Video shot by the Depoe Bay Fire District shows what looks like giant earthworms squirming on the roadway as workers scooped up piles of the wriggling mess with a bulldozer.

— debbi baker, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spilled load of slime eels creates sticky mess on Oregon highway," 14 July 2017
The snake was barely bigger than an earthworm, curled in the palm of someone’s hand.

— ellen o'connell whittet, Allure, "I Developed a Snake Phobia After My Sexual Assault — Here's How I Faced It," 11 July 2017
Although not technically a fertilizer, nutrient rich compost contains earthworms and other helpful microbes that benefit plant growth.

— betty cahill, The Denver Post, "Punch List: The third week in June is about time to harvest garlic in the Colorado garden," 16 June 2017
As a bulldozer ate through the parking lot to build a new recreation center, the reels came up from the ground—a little like earthworms, a little like zombies—to greet a world that had changed.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "Hidden Beneath a Hockey Rink, a Silent Film Treasure Trove," 7 June 2017
Sea cucumbers are critical to marine ecosystems all over the world, cleaning the sea floor of small particles and waste materials and turning them into nutrients that other creatures can use, much like earthworms on land.

— National Geographic, "Why Smuggling of This Ocean Creature May Skyrocket," 2 June 2017
Students and their lab partners observed and defined the internal organs and structures of their earthworm.

— Courant Community, "Community," 8 May 2017

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

First Known Use of earthworm

14th century

EARTHWORM Defined for English Language Learners

earthworm

noun

Definition of earthworm for English Language Learners

: a long worm that lives in damp soil

EARTHWORM Defined for Kids

earthworm

noun earth·worm \ ˈərth-ˌwərm \

Definition of earthworm for Students

:a worm that has a long body made up of similar segments and lives in damp soil

Learn More about earthworm

See words that rhyme with earthworm Spanish Central: Translation of earthworm Nglish: Translation of earthworm for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earthworm

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earthworm

Definition of earthworm

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earthworm

Definition of earthworm for English Language Learners

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earthworm

Definition of earthworm for Students

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