hookworm

noun

hook·worm | \ˈhu̇k-ˌwərm

Definition of hookworm

1 : any of several parasitic nematode worms (family Ancylostomatidae) that have strong buccal hooks or plates for attaching to the host's intestinal lining and that include serious bloodsucking pests

2 : infestation with or disease caused by hookworms especially : a lethargic anemic state in humans due to blood loss from hookworms feeding in the small intestine

Examples of hookworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These crippling and even fatal diseases include African sleeping sickness, a brain-eating amoeba, hookworm, roundworms that infiltrate the lymphatic system, and malaria. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "UCSD steps up fight against tropical parasitical diseases," 4 July 2018 One gram of dog poop can contain up to 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, and dog poop is also a common carrier of whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, parvo, coronavirus, giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium, and campylobacter. — Wes Siler, Outside Online, "It’s Time to Talk About Dog Poop," 27 Mar. 2018 That said, most species of hookworms can't migrate that far in humans and tend to just squirm around aimlessly in skin tissue. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Couple freaks after tabloids spread medical pics of their worm-infested bums," 1 Mar. 2018 Stephens and Zytner were diagnosed with larva migrans, or hookworms. — Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY, "Couple contract parasitic hookworm in feet after walking on Punta Cana beach," 29 Jan. 2018 Beaches and sandboxes are common places to find parasitic hookworms. — Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "Couple Posts Horrifying Photos of Hookworm-Infected Feet After Walking on Beach Without Shoes," 30 Jan. 2018 Emergencies requiring blood donations run the gamut, and include flea and tick anemia, severe hookworm infections, cancer, and being hit by a car. — Southern Living, "Meet The Woman Behind Oklahoma’s Only Blood Bank for Dogs," 24 Aug. 2017 Emergencies requiring blood donations run the gamut, and include flea and tick anemia, severe hookworm infections, cancer, and being hit by a car. — Southern Living, "Meet The Woman Behind Oklahoma’s Only Blood Bank for Dogs," 24 Aug. 2017 Mebendazole is an antiparisitc drug developed in 1972 to treat infections from pinworms, hookworms, roundworms and the like. — Meredith Cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Can a pinworm drug help brain cancer patients like John McCain?," 20 July 2017

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

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The first known use of hookworm was in 1902

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More Definitions for hookworm

hookworm

noun

hook·worm | \ˈhu̇k-ˌwərm

Kids Definition of hookworm

: a small worm that lives in the intestines and makes people sick by sucking their blood

hookworm

noun

hook·worm | \ˈhu̇k-ˌwərm

Medical Definition of hookworm

1 : any of several parasitic nematode worms of the family Ancylostomatidae that have strong buccal hooks or plates for attaching to the host's intestinal lining and that include serious bloodsucking pests

2 : ancylostomiasis