- any unsegmented worm of the phylum (or class) Nematoda, having a tough outer cuticle. The group includes free-living forms and disease-causing parasites, such as the hookworm and filariaAlso called: nematode worm, roundworm
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
nem•a•tode
(nem′ə tōd′),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- Invertebratesany unsegmented worm of the phylum Nematoda, having an elongated, cylindrical body;
a roundworm.
adj.
- Invertebratespertaining to the Nematoda.
- nemat- + -ode1 1860–65
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
nematode /ˈnɛməˌtəʊd/, nematoid /ˈnɛməˌtɔɪd/ n
'nematode' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
ascarid
- eelworm
- elephantiasis
- filaria
- filariasis
- helminth
- hookworm
- -ode
- pinworm
- roundworm
- trichina
- gapeworm
- golden nematode
- heartworm
- lungworm
- microfilaria
- nemato-
- threadworm
- vinegar eel
- wheatworm
- stomach worm
- strongyle