whipworm
noun
whip·worm
ˈ(h)wip-ˌwərm 
: a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially
: one (T. trichiura) of the human intestine
Examples of whipworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An additional clue provided some evidence of human presence–the eggs of a human parasite specifically, those of a whipworm named Trichuris.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
Dogs were returned with rashes, bald spots, and whipworm.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Hookworms stick to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood, posing a serious threat; roundworms are typically seen in puppies but adult dogs can get them too; whipworms live in the cecum and can be quite hard to diagnose; and tapeworms, which are typically carried by fleas.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
In addition to risks of hookworms and roundworms, pets are also vulnerable to whipworm, giardia and coccidia.
—Julia Wuerz, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024
Intestinal parasites like hookworms and whipworms rank among the world’s most pressing public health crises.
—Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Petrified roundworm and whipworm eggs suggest that Roman-era and late medieval Brits were most likely to be plagued with these pests.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 21 June 2022
For instance, the human whipworm has problems maturing in cold climates.
—Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2018
Two types of worm were discovered in the remains — roundworm as well as whipworm — and because both are brought on by bad sanitation, the archaeologists theorize that the different infection rates relate to different approaches to waste management.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
Dogs were returned with rashes, bald spots, and whipworm.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Hookworms stick to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood, posing a serious threat; roundworms are typically seen in puppies but adult dogs can get them too; whipworms live in the cecum and can be quite hard to diagnose; and tapeworms, which are typically carried by fleas.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
In addition to risks of hookworms and roundworms, pets are also vulnerable to whipworm, giardia and coccidia.
—Julia Wuerz, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024
Intestinal parasites like hookworms and whipworms rank among the world’s most pressing public health crises.
—Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Petrified roundworm and whipworm eggs suggest that Roman-era and late medieval Brits were most likely to be plagued with these pests.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 21 June 2022
For instance, the human whipworm has problems maturing in cold climates.
—Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2018
Two types of worm were discovered in the remains — roundworm as well as whipworm — and because both are brought on by bad sanitation, the archaeologists theorize that the different infection rates relate to different approaches to waste management.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Whipworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whipworm. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
whipworm
noun
whip·worm
-ˌwərm
: a parasitic nematode worm of the family Trichuridae with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially
: one of the genus Trichuris (T. trichiura) that parasitizes the human intestine
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