woodworm

noun

wood·​worm ˈwu̇d-ˌwərm How to pronounce woodworm (audio)
: an insect larva (as of a furniture beetle) that bores especially in dead wood
also : an infestation of woodworms

Examples of woodworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Similarly, some items in his collection became contaminated with mildew, woodworm or worse — asbestos, mercury and radioactivity. Catherine Hickley, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Try and look out for dealers who actually specialize in frames and mirrors, and remember to always check the backs of frames for any damage, rot, or woodworm. Jermaine Gallacher, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2023 These crustaceans, which sort of resemble a massive woodworm, are carnivores and usually feed on dead animals that fall down from the ocean’s surface. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022

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

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woodworm was in 1725

Dictionary Entries Near woodworm

Cite this Entry

“Woodworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodworm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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