silkworm
noun
silk·worm
ˈsilk-ˌwərm 
: a moth whose larva spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon
especially
: an Asian moth (Bombyx mori of the family Bombycidae) whose rough wrinkled hairless caterpillar produces the silk of commerce
Examples of silkworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inside were two of the silkworms that had spun the silk for her wedding dress.
—
Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 July 2025
When observing a silkworm, it could be said that the spinning of the web can be as beautiful as the web itself, that the work itself is the thing.
—Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
People farm insects for all sorts of reasons: Farmers rear bees to pollinate billions of dollars of crops, textile companies raise silkworms for their cocoons, and cosmetic companies use cochineal beetles for dyes.
—Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
The story involves an unlucky silkworm cocoon and Leizu’s hot cup of tea.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silkworm
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Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 July 2025
When observing a silkworm, it could be said that the spinning of the web can be as beautiful as the web itself, that the work itself is the thing.
—Ed Simon
july 21, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
People farm insects for all sorts of reasons: Farmers rear bees to pollinate billions of dollars of crops, textile companies raise silkworms for their cocoons, and cosmetic companies use cochineal beetles for dyes.
—Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
The story involves an unlucky silkworm cocoon and Leizu’s hot cup of tea.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silkworm
Cite this Entry
“Silkworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silkworm. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
silkworm
noun
silk·worm
ˈsil-ˌkwərm
: any of various moth larvae that spin a large amount of silk to make a cocoon
especially
: a wrinkled hairless yellowish caterpillar that is the larva of an Asian moth, is raised in captivity on mulberry leaves, and produces a strong silk that is the silk most often used for thread or cloth
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