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

Previous research has documented individual nematodes hitchhiking on insects. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025

Soil from the landscape and top soils may contain insects, diseases, nematodes and weeds. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025

The team must try to stay alive and save themselves from the twitchy canine machine while trying to find solutions to save a dying Earth by searching on Mars and finding algae-eating nematodes! —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 May 2025

Try to find a spot for new okra plantings where root knot nematodes have not affected previous crops. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 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