tapeworm

noun

tape·​worm ˈtāp-ˌwərm 

: 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

In one case, a chimp with diarrhea and tapeworms traveled away from his group’s usual home to a spot in the forest with lots of Alstonia boonei trees. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024

The United Kingdom also requires proof of tapeworm treatment before dogs can fly. —Kristin J. Bender, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024

Based on the symptoms described by Kennedy, doctors interviewed by The New York Times said the parasite was likely a pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. —John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 10 May 2024

Treatment for tapeworm infection typically involves medications such as anti-parasitic drugs to kill the worms. —Allison Novelo, CBS News, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

from its shape

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tapeworm

noun

tape·​worm ˈtāp-ˌwərm 

: 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 

: 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