1. a long, thin parasitic worm of the phylum Nematomorpha that lives in the bodies of insects and other arthropods
Usage: biology; also called horsehair worm
2. a thin, hair-like worm or worm-like creature found in water or soil
Usage: general usage

Examples

• The biologist discovered a hairworm inside the cricket's abdomen.
• Hairworms are known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of their insect hosts.
• When the infected insect enters water, the hairworm emerges to reproduce.
• The hairworm's life cycle depends on finding a suitable arthropod host.
• Scientists study hairworms to understand parasite-host relationships in nature.