wormhole

American  

[wurm-hohl] / ˈwɜrmˌhoʊl /

noun

1. a hole made by a burrowing or gnawing worm, as in timber, nuts, etc.

2. a theoretical passageway in space between a black hole and a white hole.

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wormhole British  

/ ˈwɜːmˌhəʊl /

noun

1. a hole made by a worm in timber, plants, etc

2. physics a tunnel in the geometry of space–time postulated to connect different parts of the universe

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wormhole Scientific  

/ wûrm′hōl′ /

1. A hole made by a burrowing worm.

2. A theoretical distortion of space-time that would link points in space through a second set of paths, some of which could be shorter than the shortest path without the wormhole. It is not known whether workholes are possible.

3. See more at space-time

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Other Word Forms

• wormholed adjective

Etymology

Origin of wormhole

First recorded in 1585–95; worm + hole

Example Sentences

“Pelicarnassus tried to drag us all down a wormhole to hell in our science module last year.”

From Literature

Ross: Other dimensions, everyone was fine with the wormholes.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s one thing to become transfixed by a fictional character going down a scripted wormhole for the purposes of narrative enlightenment or comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

From cats and cucumbers to pimple popping and unboxings, the internet is awash with a vast array of videos to send people into a social media wormhole.

From BBC

Brilliant green light flashed as the wormhole opened.

From Literature

Related Words

• side door