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

Hookworms stick to the wall of the small intestine and suck blood, posing a serious threat; roundworms are typically seen in puppies but adult dogs can get them too; whipworms live in the cecum and can be quite hard to diagnose; and tapeworms, which are typically carried by fleas. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Parasites, such as ticks and roundworms, hitch rides on electric fields generated by larger animal hosts. —Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024

The bear meat in this case was tested and found to have Trichinella nativa, a freeze-resistant type of roundworm. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 May 2024

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

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