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Definition of mealworm

mealworm

/ˈmiːl.wɜːrm/
meal · worm
Plural:mealworms
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mealworm Lexical Profile

mealworm Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The larval form of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), a species of darkling beetle, characterized by a segmented, yellowish-brown body and commonly found as a pest in stored grains or cultivated commercially as animal feed.

Example

"The students set up a terrarium to observe the mealworms as they underwent metamorphosis into adult beetles."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mealworm

• Rhymes for mealworm

• Nearby Words

meadowlark
meadowsweet
meal
mealworm
measure
measurement
meat

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the 1590s, formed by combining 'meal' (ground grain) and 'worm', referring to the larva's habit of infesting and feeding on stored flour, grain, and meal.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mealworm. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mealworm
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