nematode

noun

nem·​a·​tode ˈne-mə-ˌtōd 

ˈnē-

: any of a phylum (Nematoda or Nemata) of elongated cylindrical worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-living in soil or water

called also roundworm

Examples of nematode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Looking for varieties that resist root knot nematode or verticillium wilt or early blight or other common tomato problems? —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

Choose tomato plants or seeds labeled as a variety resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and nematodes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

Worm castings owe their pest control capacity to chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down chitin, an integral constituent of insect exoskeletons, fungus cell walls, and nematode eggshells. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025

Consider selecting varieties resistant to fusarium and verticillium wilts, tobacco mosaic virus, and/or nematodes. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek nēmat-, nēma

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nematode

• golden nematode
• meadow nematode
• root-knot nematode

Rhymes for nematode

• afterload
• episode
• internode
• microcode
• multimode
• nesselrode
• overflowed
• overload
• overrode
• radioed
• torpedoed
• trematode

Kids Definition

nematode

noun

nem·​a·​tode ˈnem-ə-ˌtōd 

: any of a major group of long cylinder-shaped worms that are parasites in animals or plants or live in soil or water

called also roundworm

Medical Definition

nematode

1 of 2 adjective

nem·​a·​tode ˈnem-ə-ˌtōd 

: of or relating to the phylum Nematoda

nematode

2 of 2 noun

: any worm of the phylum Nematoda