hairworm

noun

hair·​worm ˈher-ˌwərm 

1

: any of a phylum (Nematomorpha) of elongated worms that have separate sexes, are parasitic in arthropods as larvae, and are free-living in water as adults

called also horsehair worm

2

: any of a genus (Capillaria) of nematode worms that include serious parasites of the digestive tract of fowls and tissue and organ parasites of mammals

Examples of hairworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Swimming with the fishesSpinochordodes tellinii, also known as a hairworm, are free-living aquatic organisms as adults, who, as nematodes, eek out an existence in the mud. —Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2015

Paragordius obamai, a hairworm that lives inside the stomachs of African crickets. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2017

For his part, Obama also has a trapdoor spider, a species of lichen, a puffbird, a parasitic hairworm that infects crickets, and an extinct lizard called Obamadon named after him. —Richard Pyle, National Geographic, 2 Sep. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hairworm

noun

hair·​worm ˈha(ə)r-ˌwərm 

ˈhe(ə)r-

: any of various very long slender worms (as a horsehair worm)

Medical Definition

hairworm

noun

hair·​worm ˈha(ə)r-ˌwərm, ˈhe(ə)r- 

1

: any nematode worm of the genus Capillaria

2

: horsehair worm