mealworm

noun

meal·​worm ˈmēl-ˌwərm 

: the larva of a darkling beetle (especially genus Tenebrio) that infests grain products but is often raised as food for insectivorous animals, for laboratory use, or as fishing bait

Examples of mealworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then again, mealworm jam might become the next viral sensation everyone is eager to try, potentially leading to shortages in the coming years! —Oyku Ilgar, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

While farmed chickens and pigs have received the sympathetic Hollywood treatment, like the Chicken Run movies, Charlotte’s Web, and Okja, similar films about shrimp or mealworms don’t seem to be in the offing. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

It is recommended to purchase mealworms from a North American supplier to ensure proper quality and compatibility with your garden. —Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025

All of the other pairs completed the mission, which saw cockroaches, crickets, mealworms, tailless whip scorpions and snakes crawl all over them. —Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mealworm

• eelworm

Kids Definition

mealworm

noun

meal·​worm -ˌwərm 

: any of various small brownish larvae of various beetles that live in grain products and are often raised as food for insect-eating animals or as bait