Nematode
//ˈnɛm.ə.təʊd// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A worm of the large phylum Nematoda, such as a roundworm or threadworm.
"Nematodes are free-living, soil-dwelling microscopic worms."
- 2 unsegmented worms with elongated rounded body pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are parasitic wordnet
Example
More examples"Plants also help each other through their root systems. For example, scientists say the roots of the marigold flower reduce harmful nematode populations in the soil. Nematodes are tiny worms. There are more than ten-thousand different kinds of nematodes. And some of them feed on corn."
Etymology
Borrowed from translingual Nematoda, from Ancient Greek νηματώδης (nēmatṓdēs, “fibrous, in filaments”), from νῆμα (nêma, “thread, yarn”) + -ώδης (-ṓdēs, “-like”).
Related phrases
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.