earthworm
noun
earth·worm
| \ ˈərth-ˌwərm
\
\
Definition of earthworm
: a terrestrial annelid worm (class Oligochaeta)
especially
: any of a family (Lumbricidae) of numerous widely distributed hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil by means of setae and feed on decaying organic matter
Examples of earthworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jugglers, stilt-walkers and burlesque-like human earthworms will show off their talents at the corner of Dale Street and LaFond Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 7 to call attention to the impacts of a changing climate on low-income communities. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Sustainability Circus comes to St. Paul’s Frogtown Sept. 7," 16 Aug. 2019 The Midwest has no native earthworms due to glaciation. — Cindy Dampier, chicagotribune.com, "Jumping worms are the latest invasive species to hit Illinois. In Chicago, they’re basically everywhere.," 14 Aug. 2019 The presence of robins in your yard mean there are lots of earthworms around. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Hilling potatoes, flowering lettuce, and other reader questions," 4 July 2019 Soil is moist, heavily mulched, and lovely with earthworms, but does get considerable water in winter (on a slope). — oregonlive.com, "Am I watering my new arborvitae correctly? Ask an Expert," 15 June 2019 This is a good thing, as earthworms help build up organic material by pulling leaves into their burrows and pooping. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Hilling potatoes, flowering lettuce, and other reader questions," 4 July 2019 Hammerhead flatworms—so named for their weird, broad heads—are predatory critters that feast on earthworms and, sometimes, on one another. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Hammerhead Flatworms Have Been Quietly Invading France for Two Decades," 26 May 2018 The rows of fangs help the animals capture prey, such as earthworms, which are then swallowed whole. — Jason Bittel, National Geographic, "Caecilians," 27 June 2019 People in and around Louisville are most likely to see Eastern garter snakes, which eat earthworms, and DeKay's brown snakes, which eat slugs. — Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville is the 'snakiest city' in Kentucky and all this rain has them slithering out," 24 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'earthworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for earthworm
earthworm
noun
English Language Learners Definition of earthworm
: a long worm that lives in damp soil
See the full definition for earthworm in the English Language Learners Dictionary
earthworm
noun
earth·worm
| \ ˈərth-ˌwərm
\
\
Kids Definition of earthworm
: a worm that has a long body made up of similar segments and lives in damp soil
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