heartworm

noun

heart·​worm ˈhärt-ˌwərm How to pronounce heartworm (audio)
: a filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is a parasite especially in the right heart of dogs and is transmitted by mosquitoes
also : infestation or disease caused by the heartworm

Examples of heartworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even a routine checkup for vaccines, heartworm prevention, and diet recommendations can cost a couple of hundred dollars, and any medical procedure starts at $1,000 and can reach $10,000 quickly. The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2024 While being treated for heartworm, King was limited to leash walks only, and Humane Society of Pinellas staff members would take him out on long walks to keep him entertained. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024 However, coyotes can contract rabies, distemper, parvo, heartworms and other diseases that can be passed to pets. Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Axios, 12 Aug. 2024 Several of the dogs also have heartworms, according to the post. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for heartworm 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heartworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartworm was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near heartworm

Cite this Entry

“Heartworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartworm. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

heartworm

noun
heart·​worm -ˌwərm How to pronounce heartworm (audio)
1
: a filarial worm of the genus Dirofilaria (D. immitis) that is especially common in warm regions, lives as an adult in the right heart especially of dogs, and discharges active larvae into the circulating blood whence they may be picked up by mosquitoes and transmitted to other hosts and that may infect humans causing local pulmonary infarction but does not achieve sexual maturity in the human organism
2
: infestation with or disease especially of dogs caused by the heartworm, resulting typically in gasping, coughing, and nervous disorder, and when severe commonly leading to death

More from Merriam-Webster on heartworm

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