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Definition of xylophagan

xylophagan

/zaɪˈlɑːfəɡən/
xy · loph · a · gan
Plural:xylophagans
•
Adjective:xylophagous
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xylophagan Lexical Profile

xylophagan Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Feeding on or boring into wood; characteristic of wood-eating organisms.

Example

"The wooden structures of the submerged pier were heavily damaged by xylophagan activity over several decades."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for xylophagan

• noun

1

An animal, typically an insect, crustacean, or marine bivalve, that feeds on or burrows into wood.

Example

"Marine biologists studied the local population of xylophagans to understand their role in breaking down driftwood in the deep ocean ecosystem."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for xylophagan

• Rhymes for xylophagan

• Nearby Words

xylometer
xylonic
xylonite
xylophagan
xylophage
xylophilous
xylophone

Word Origin & Etymology

From Greek 'xylon' (wood) and 'phagein' (to eat), combined with the English noun/adjective forming suffix '-an'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Xylophagan. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/xylophagan
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