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

See hookworm defined for kids

Recent Examples of hookworm from the Web

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
Other infections, such as hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted in a practice called coprophagia, in which animals ingest one another’s stool or by licking each others’ anuses, Dr. Nandi said in an email.

— christopher mele, New York Times, "Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face?," 21 Oct. 2016

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.

First Known Use of hookworm

1902

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

HOOKWORM Defined for Kids

hookworm

noun hook·worm \ ˈhu̇k-ˌwərm \

Definition of hookworm for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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