Woodworm

/wˈʊdwɜːm/

[noun]

Woodworm

[NOUN]

the larvae of a beetle that feed on wood and make a lot of holes in it

What is a "woodworm"?

A woodworm is a small worm-like insect that infests and damages wood. It burrows into the timber, feeding on the wood fibers and leaving behind a network of tunnels. Woodworms can cause significant structural damage to wooden furniture, flooring, and other wooden objects. They are particularly attracted to damp or decaying wood and can weaken the integrity of the material over time. To prevent woodworm infestation, it is essential to maintain proper wood moisture levels, implement effective ventilation, and treat any affected wood with appropriate wood preservatives.

the damage done to wood by an insect called woodworm, marked by many small holes

Examples

1. The last time we tried that, Father Flaherty got woodworm from sitting on a tree stump.

2. Our condition, in the end, is that of the woodworm that lives in the burrows of a precious Louis XV style piece of furniture or of a moth that lives in the texture of a canvas painted by Leonardo.

3. Even the old men, though they can no longer sail, keep their canoes, riddled with woodworm, at the side of their houses.

4. Even the old men, though they can no longer sail, keep their canoes, riddled with woodworm, at the side of their houses.

Nearby words