hyperparasite

noun

hy·​per·​par·​a·​site ˌhī-pər-ˈper-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce hyperparasite (audio)
-ˈpa-rə-
: a parasite that is parasitic upon another parasite
hyperparasitic adjective
hyperparasitism noun

Examples of hyperparasite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gomez-Zapata, a PhD student at the Aime lab at Purdue University, says that a hyperparasite is a parasite whose host is another parasite. Andrew Wight, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021 Hyperparasites are parasites that take advantage of other parasites, such as parasitic wasps that lay eggs in other parasitic wasps that in turn lay eggs in caterpillars. Andrew Forbes, National Geographic, 25 Jan. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyperparasite was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near hyperparasite

Cite this Entry

“Hyperparasite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperparasite. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hyperparasite

noun
hy·​per·​par·​a·​site ˌhī-pər-ˈpar-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce hyperparasite (audio)
: a parasite that is parasitic upon another parasite
hyperparasitic adjective
Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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