roundworm

noun

round·​worm ˈrau̇nd-ˌwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio)
: nematode
also : a related round-bodied unsegmented worm (such as a spiny-headed worm) as distinguished from a flatworm

Examples of roundworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The roundworm, Ophidascaris robertsi, normally infects snakes, so the discovery was quite a shock to the neurosurgeon who pulled the wriggling creature from the patient’s head. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 While humans can be infected by some types of roundworms, the parasite found in her brain typically resides in the stomachs of carpet pythons, which are common in Australia. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023 The creature was the larva of an Australian native roundworm not previously known to be a human parasite, named Ophidascaris robertsi. Rod McGuirk, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023 The researchers think one of the specimens belongs to an order of roundworm called Ascaridida due to its characteristic ovular shape and thick wall. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023 Many roundworm species are parasites that infect agricultural crops and livestock. Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 But while the discovery made headlines for the astounding age of the frozen worms, researchers say the roundworms could also teach us something about surviving climate change - as our planet endures some of the hottest days on record. Doc Louallen, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023 Five years ago, scientists from the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science in Russia found two roundworm species in the Siberian permafrost. Issy Ronald, CNN, 28 July 2023 At a time when the mighty woolly mammoth roamed the Earth, some 46,000 years ago, a minuscule pair of roundworms became encased in the Siberian permafrost. Orlando Mayorquin, New York Times, 29 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roundworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roundworm was in 1558

Dictionary Entries Near roundworm

Cite this Entry

“Roundworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundworm. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

roundworm

noun
round·​worm ˈrau̇n-ˌdwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio)
: a nematode worm (as a hookworm)
also : a related round-bodied worm without segments as compared to a flatworm

Medical Definition

roundworm

noun
round·​worm ˈrau̇n-ˌdwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio)
: nematode
also : a related round-bodied unsegmented worm (as an acanthocephalan) as distinguished from a flatworm

More from Merriam-Webster on roundworm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!