1. Plural of hairworm; parasitic worms of the phylum Nematomorpha that are long, thin, and hair-like in appearance, often found in water or as parasites in insects.
Usage: biology; zoology

Examples

• Hairworms are commonly found in freshwater ponds and streams.
• The parasitic hairworms can grow to be several inches long.
• Scientists study hairworms to understand their complex life cycles.
• Hairworms infect insects as intermediate hosts before returning to water.
• The thin, thread-like hairworms resemble strands of hair floating in water.