tapeworm

noun

tape·​worm ˈtāp-ˌwərm How to pronounce tapeworm (audio)
: any of a class (Cestoda) of bilaterally symmetrical flatworms that are parasitic as adults in the intestines of vertebrates including humans and consist of a scolex usually with suckers or hooks followed posteriorly by an undifferentiated neck region from which buds off an often long chain of proglottids
In most instances, adult tapeworms have little visible effect on their hosts except in heavy infections, which may result in anemia, weight loss, and various secondary manifestations.Burton J. Bogitsh et al.

called also cestode

Examples of tapeworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Doctors believe that the tapeworm infection originated from his habit of eating undercooked bacon. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 The patient was admitted to the hospital, where an MRI and other tests confirmed these masses weren’t cysts, but were the larvae of tapeworms. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Fortunately, tapeworm infections can be easily treated with oral medications. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 Unpleasant as the idea of a tapeworm is, the good news is that tapeworms typically don’t cause serious symptoms. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 Horror After swallowing a tapeworm to lose weight, a former child star undergoes a transformation. Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2023 The tapeworm is also a sizable intestinal parasite. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2017 And a recent Washington Post investigation found that several chatbots — including Google’s Bard — recommended dangerously low-calorie diets, cigarettes and even tapeworms as ways to lose weight. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023 If your dog eats a flea that’s carrying a tapeworm larva, the tapeworm—a type of parasite—can transfer to their body and appear in your dog’s stool. Shelby Deering, Good Housekeeping, 4 Aug. 2021

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

Word History

Etymology

from its shape

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tapeworm was in 1706

Dictionary Entries Near tapeworm

Cite this Entry

“Tapeworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapeworm. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tapeworm

noun
tape·​worm ˈtāp-ˌwərm How to pronounce tapeworm (audio)
: any of a group of flatworms that are parasites of the intestines of vertebrate animals including human beings

Medical Definition

tapeworm

noun
tape·​worm ˈtāp-ˌwərm How to pronounce tapeworm (audio)
: any of the class Cestoda of flatworms that are parasitic as adults in the digestive tract of vertebrates including humans and as larvae in a great variety of vertebrates and invertebrates, that typically consist of an attachment organ usually with suckers, grooves, hooks, or other devices for adhering to the host's intestine followed by an undifferentiated growth region from which buds off a chain of segments of which the anterior members are little more than blocks of tissue, the median members have fully developed organs of both sexes, and the posterior members are degenerated to egg-filled sacs, that have no digestive system and absorb food through the body wall, and that have a nervous system consisting of ganglia and commissures in the scolex and longitudinal cords extending the length of the strobila

called also cestode

see beef tapeworm, cat tapeworm, dog tapeworm, fish tapeworm, fringed tapeworm, pork tapeworm

More from Merriam-Webster on tapeworm

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