weevil

noun

wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl How to pronounce weevil (audio)
: any of a superfamily (Curculionoidea) of beetles which have the head prolonged into a more or less distinct snout and which include many that are destructive especially as larvae to nuts, fruit, and grain or to living plants
especially : any of a family (Curculionidae) having a well-developed snout curved downward with the jaws at the tip and clubbed usually elbowed antennae
weevily adjective
or weevilly
ˈwēv-lē,
ˈwē-və-lē How to pronounce weevil (audio)

Illustration of weevil

Illustration of weevil

Examples of weevil 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.
The South American palm weevil came north across the border in 2011 and headed straight for its preferred victim, the glamorous Canary Island palm. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 Evans says the discovery of grain stores has allowed scientists to understand that ancient Egyptians were bothered by grain pests such as weevils. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 Most nuts also have nationwide transportation restrictions into California because husks and hulls can carry various invasive flies and weevils. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2025 The weevil is native to parts of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weevil

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wevel, from Old English wifel; akin to Old High German wibil beetle, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weevil was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Weevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weevil. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

weevil

noun
wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl How to pronounce weevil (audio)
: any of a family of mostly small beetles that have the head long and usually curved downward to form a snout bearing the jaws at the tip and that include many that feed on and are very harmful to plants or plant products (as nuts, fruit, and grain) especially as larvae

called also snout beetle

compare boll weevil
weevily adjective
or weevilly

More from Merriam-Webster on weevil

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