silkworm

noun

silk·​worm ˈsilk-ˌwərm 

: a moth whose larva spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon

especially : an Asian moth (Bombyx mori of the family Bombycidae) whose rough wrinkled hairless caterpillar produces the silk of commerce

Examples of silkworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby, silkworms in varying stages of development bounced gently in the hammock of their freshly woven cocoons, largely unnoticed inside a small acrylic box. —Nicola Twilley, WIRED, 11 Feb. 2020

Some of the fibers are far smaller than those of the silkworm and much stronger. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Made from natural proteins produced by silkworms, these sheets feel great against your skin, conduct heat nicely, and even have allergen-friendly and microbial qualities. —Kathleen Felton, SELF, 19 Nov. 2024

That didn’t stop Byzantine emperor Justinian I, aiming to restore his empire’s former glory, from acquiring silkworm eggs, via monks who smuggled them in bamboo rods. —Emi Eleode, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

silkworm

noun

silk·​worm ˈsil-ˌkwərm 

: any of various moth larvae that spin a large amount of silk to make a cocoon

especially : a wrinkled hairless yellowish caterpillar that is the larva of an Asian moth, is raised in captivity on mulberry leaves, and produces a strong silk that is the silk most often used for thread or cloth