Shipworm (Noun)
Meaning
Wormlike marine bivalve that bores into wooden piers and ships by means of drill-like shells.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Marine engineers are often called to assess damage from the shipworm that has infested the hull of an old historic vessel.
- Shipworms have been known to bore through the support beams of a wooden dock, weakening its overall structure.
- Historic ships in museums often need to have their hulls treated to prevent damage from shipworms and other marine organisms.
- In tropical waters, shipworms are more active and can quickly destroy an untreated wooden boat in just a few months.
- To protect the newly built dock from damage, a layer of metal sheathing was applied to the pilings to deter shipworms and other marine borers.