lugworm

[ luhg-wurm ]

noun

1. any burrowing annelid of the genus Arenicola, of ocean shores, having tufted gills: used as bait for fishing.

lugworm

/ ˈlʌɡˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any polychaete worm of the genus Arenicola, living in burrows on sandy shores and having tufted gills: much used as bait by fishermen Sometimes shortened tolug Also calledlobworm

Word History and Origins

Origin of lugworm¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; lug ⁴ + worm

Word History and Origins

Origin of lugworm¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Along the way, Wilbrink had pointed out a Japanese oyster, the outline of a flat fish on the sea’s bottom and squiggly lugworm castings.

From Washington Post

She opens her hand to reveal a wriggling lugworm.

From BBC

Thompson’s research has shown that extremely high levels of plastics in the seabed can harm animals such as lugworms living in the seabed and build up in their tissues.

From Reuters

The lugworm study was published in Environmental Science and Technology.

From BBC

It has been shown to happen in lugworms, which live in the North Atlantic, and Mason said, “If it happens in lugworms, there’s a pretty good chance that it’s happening in other species.”

From Seattle Times