shipworm

noun

ship·worm ˈship-ˌwərm

: any of various marine clams (especially family Teredinidae) that have a shell used for burrowing in submerged wood and a wormlike body and that cause damage to wharf piles and wooden ships

Examples of shipworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Teredo navalis—a reddish shipworm, which can grow longer than a foot—ate through hulls. — David Grann, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2023 In the 18th century, copper was used by the Royal Navy to protect wooden ships from barnacles and shipworms. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 Researchers found the new-to-science shipworm, a kind of clam, in the Abatan River on the Philippines’ Bohol Island. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2019 Archaeologists also found wood-eating shipworms called teredos, which suggests the vessel had sailed through the waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean—and may even have traveled as far south as the Caribbean. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shipworm

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of shipworm was in 1658

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shipway

shipworm

shipwreck

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“Shipworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shipworm. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shipworm

noun

ship·worm -ˌwərm

: any of various marine clams that have a wormlike body and a shell used for burrowing in underwater wood and that cause damage to ships and wharves

shipworm

noun

Examples of shipworm in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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