roundworm

noun

round·​worm ˈrau̇nd-ˌwərm 

: 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

Previously, researchers had mapped parts of the much smaller brains of a larval marine worm (78 neurons), a larval sea squirt (177 neurons) and an adult roundworm (302 neurons). —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024

Hookworms and roundworms can thrive in a variety of species, including humans. —Julia Wuerz, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024

Parasites, such as ticks (opens a new tab) and roundworms (opens a new tab), hitch rides on electric fields generated by larger animal hosts. —quantamagazine.org, 30 Sep. 2024

Their discoveries on how certain microRNAs in the roundworm govern growth of organs and tissue was initially dismissed as specific to the species. —Niklas Pollard, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

roundworm

noun

round·​worm ˈrau̇n-ˌdwərm 

: a nematode worm (as a hookworm)

also : a related round-bodied worm without segments as compared to a flatworm

Medical Definition

roundworm

noun

round·​worm ˈrau̇n-ˌdwərm 

: nematode

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