whipworm
noun
whip·worm
ˈ(h)wip-ˌwərm 
: 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
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near whipworm
Cite this Entry
“Whipworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whipworm. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
whipworm
noun
whip·worm
-ˌwərm
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share