mealworm

noun meal·worm \ -ˌwərm \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of mealworm

: the larva of a darkling beetle (especially genus Tenebrio) that infests grain products but is often raised as food for insectivorous animals, for laboratory use, or as fishing bait

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Recent Examples of mealworm from the Web

Towers of plastic trays containing millions of squiggling mealworms move along an assembly line, entirely controlled by robots.

— vivienne walt, Fortune, "How Insects Might Help Solve the Looming Global Food Crisis," 25 Mar. 2018
Then, the Neatball is a version of Ikea's famous meatball made in two variations: mealworm and vegetable.

— suzannah weiss, Teen Vogue, "Ikea Space10 Lab Announces "Fast Food of the Future" Including Algae Hot Dogs and Mealworm Burgers," 13 Mar. 2018
The burger is made with tasty beetroot, parsnip, and potatoes, but then is loaded with mealworms (a.k.a beetle larvae).

— shannon barbour, Cosmopolitan, "IKEA Has Gone Too Far With Its New Bug-Filled Food Options," 13 Mar. 2018
The jig, spiced with a mealworm, was perhaps 16 feet beneath her, just above the lake's bottom.

— c.j. chivers, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Started in Ice Fishing," 8 Nov. 2017
In the aisles at the new MOM’s Organic Market in Center City: crickets and mealworms.

— emily babay, Philly.com, "New Temple stadium talks and protests. Joel Embiid gets an extension. Arrest in activist's killing. | Morning Newsletter," 10 Oct. 2017
Then bite into the burger of rice, chopped vegetables, spices and mealworm larvae.

— seattletimes.com, "Yuck or yum? Swiss offer insect burgers of mealworm larvae," 8 Sep. 2017
On Monday, zookeeper Sherry Barlet used donated treat dispensers to feed mealworms to meerkats.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "What keeps Zoo Boise’s lions purring? Blood popsicles and Victoria’s Secret perfume," 2 Aug. 2017
Kids — and those who are kids at heart — can brush up on their bug-collecting skills, work on arts and crafts centered on insects, and taste cooked mealworm larva in mesquite, teriyaki and barbecue.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Comic-Con, Japanese pop culture party, Mystery Science Theater 3000," 21 July 2017

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