noun
- a marine mollusk that bores into and damages wooden ships and structures underwater
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The old pier was severely damaged by shipworms.
- Shipworms can destroy wooden hulls if left untreated.
- The marine biologist studied shipworm infestations in harbor structures.
- Copper sheathing was used to protect ships from shipworms.
- The shipworm tunnels weakened the wooden dock.
- Sailors feared shipworm damage during long ocean voyages.