whipworm
noun
whip·worm
ˈ(h)wip-ˌwərm 
: a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris) with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially
: one (T. trichiura) of the human intestine
Examples of whipworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Police said nearly all the dogs that were surrendered tested positive for whipworm, an intestinal parasite known to cause anemia that, if left untreated, can eventually result in the death of an animal.
—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The kinds of intestinal worms that dogs can get are most commonly roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm.
—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
18 Jan. 2026
Roundworms and whipworms both live in the intestine and cause various ailments, including abdominal pain, nausea, fever and diarrhea.
—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
22 Dec. 2025
Scientists analyzing the sewer drains from the Roman fort Vindolanda (near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England) found three types of intestinal parasites—roundworm,whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Dec. 2025
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Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The kinds of intestinal worms that dogs can get are most commonly roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm.
—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
18 Jan. 2026
Roundworms and whipworms both live in the intestine and cause various ailments, including abdominal pain, nausea, fever and diarrhea.
—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
22 Dec. 2025
Scientists analyzing the sewer drains from the Roman fort Vindolanda (near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England) found three types of intestinal parasites—roundworm,whipworm, and Giardia duodenalis.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whipworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whipworm. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
whipworm
noun
whip·worm
-ˌwərm
: a parasitic nematode worm of the family Trichuridae with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is very long and slender anteriorly
especially
: one of the genus Trichuris (T. trichiura) that parasitizes the human intestine
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