whipworm

noun

whip·​worm ˈ(h)wip-ˌwərm How to pronounce whipworm (audio)
: a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially : one (T. trichiura) of the human intestine

Examples of whipworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In addition to risks of hookworms and roundworms, pets are also vulnerable to whipworm, giardia and coccidia. Julia Wuerz, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024 Intestinal parasites like hookworms and whipworms rank among the world’s most pressing public health crises. Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024 Petrified roundworm and whipworm eggs suggest that Roman-era and late medieval Brits were most likely to be plagued with these pests. Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 21 June 2022 For instance, the human whipworm has problems maturing in cold climates. Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2018 Two types of worm were discovered in the remains — roundworm as well as whipworm — and because both are brought on by bad sanitation, the archaeologists theorize that the different infection rates relate to different approaches to waste management. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Another star in the human-parasite Olympics is the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, which can cause gastrointestinal disorders, impaired growth, and abnormal cognitive development. Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2022 Why such a high prevalence of roundworm and whipworm infections? Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Upon analysis, researchers realized that the substance contained parasitic whipworm eggs commonly found in feces. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whipworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whipworm was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near whipworm

Cite this Entry

“Whipworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whipworm. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

whipworm

noun
whip·​worm -ˌwərm How to pronounce whipworm (audio)
: a parasitic nematode worm of the family Trichuridae with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially : one of the genus Trichuris (T. trichiura) that parasitizes the human intestine

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