weevil

noun

wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl How to pronounce weevil (audio)
: any of a superfamily (Curculionoidea) of beetles which have the head prolonged into a more or less distinct snout and which include many that are destructive especially as larvae to nuts, fruit, and grain or to living plants
especially : any of a family (Curculionidae) having a well-developed snout curved downward with the jaws at the tip and clubbed usually elbowed antennae
weevily adjective
or weevilly
ˈwēv-lē,
ˈwē-və-lē How to pronounce weevil (audio)

Illustration of weevil

Illustration of weevil

Examples of weevil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The former consisted of the poorest possible cuts of meat, so spoiled as to be almost inedible, while the latter was coarse and full of weevils. Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2024 Every year, weevils and moths lay eggs on or within acorns, which their larvae proceed to devour. Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024 For decades until the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, avocados from Mexico were banned from entering the United States out of concern that weevils, scabs and other pests could infect U.S. suppliers, as The Washington Post reported in 2022. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 18 June 2024 The male cones produce pollen, which is carried by insects (weevils) to the female cones. Laura Cinti, Ars Technica, 16 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for weevil 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weevil.' 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

Middle English wevel, from Old English wifel; akin to Old High German wibil beetle, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weevil was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near weevil

Cite this Entry

“Weevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weevil. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

weevil

noun
wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl How to pronounce weevil (audio)
: any of a family of mostly small beetles that have the head long and usually curved downward to form a snout bearing the jaws at the tip and that include many that feed on and are very harmful to plants or plant products (as nuts, fruit, and grain) especially as larvae

called also snout beetle

compare boll weevil
weevily adjective
or weevilly

More from Merriam-Webster on weevil

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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