1. plural of bristleworm; marine worms of the class Polychaeta, characterized by bristle-like structures (setae) projecting from their body segments, commonly found in ocean sediments and tide pools.
Usage: zoology; marine biology

Examples

• Bristleworms are important members of marine ecosystems, helping to break down organic matter on the ocean floor.
• The aquarium's touch tank featured several species of bristleworms for visitors to observe.
• Bristleworms use their setae to burrow through sand and mud.
• Marine biologists collected bristleworms from the tide pool to study their feeding behavior.
• Some bristleworms are bioluminescent and glow in the dark.