roundworm

noun
round·​worm | \ ˈrau̇nd-ˌwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio) \

Definition of roundworm

: nematode also : a related round-bodied unsegmented worm (such as a spiny-headed worm) as distinguished from a flatworm

Examples of roundworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raccoons can spread canine distemper and lay Baylisascaris roundworm eggs in water, sandboxes or on objects, which could potentially lead to severe infections in humans. Janet Eastman, oregonlive.com, "What to do about cougars in the neighborhood, skunks under the house, bats in the attic," 19 July 2019 Plants, roundworms, flatworms and insects use RNA to carry signals through their tissues, and perhaps further. Quanta Magazine, "RNA’s Secret Life Outside the Cell," 8 Nov. 2013 Raccoon packages can contain roundworms and nasty bacteria. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Who is leaving stinky, disgusting “gifts” on the doorstep?," 12 June 2019 After the space race, astronauts started hauling fish, roundworms, frogs and salamanders into orbit to test their off-world breeding abilities. Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, "Sex and the Cosmic City," 18 Apr. 2019 Often referred to as roundworms, nematodes are not closely related to true worms. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "What Are Nematodes? These Tiny Parasites Can Help — Or Hurt — Your Garden," 1 July 2018 These plant parasites are not the same roundworms as the filarial nematodes that infect the human body, spread diseases, and wreak havoc on the immune system. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "What Are Nematodes? These Tiny Parasites Can Help — Or Hurt — Your Garden," 1 July 2018 Often referred to as roundworms, nematodes are not closely related to true worms. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "What Are Nematodes? These Tiny Parasites Can Help — Or Hurt — Your Garden," 1 July 2018 Often referred to as roundworms, nematodes are not closely related to true worms. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "What Are Nematodes? These Tiny Parasites Can Help — Or Hurt — Your Garden," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roundworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of roundworm

1558, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for roundworm

roundworm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of roundworm

: a small worm with a long, round body that lives inside the bodies of people and animals

roundworm

noun
round·​worm | \ ˈrau̇nd-ˌwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio) \

Kids Definition of roundworm

: a worm that has a round body with no segments and is sometimes a serious parasite of people and animals

roundworm

noun
round·​worm | \ ˈrau̇n-ˌdwərm How to pronounce roundworm (audio) \

Medical Definition of roundworm

: nematode also : a related round-bodied unsegmented worm (as an acanthocephalan) as distinguished from a flatworm

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