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shipworm

[ ship-wurm ]

noun

  1. any of various wormlike marine bivalve mollusks that burrow into the timbers of ship, wharves, etc.

shipworm

/ ˈʃɪpˌwɜːm /

noun

  1. any wormlike marine bivalve mollusc of the genus Teredo and related genera and family Teredinidae. They bore into wooden piers, ships, etc, by means of drill-like shell valves See also piddock
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shipworm1

First recorded in 1770–80; ship 1 + worm
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Example Sentences

The teredo or shipworm was a serious peril in the days before the sheathing of ships.

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