wormhole

[ wurm-hohl ]

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.

wormhole

/ 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

wormhole

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈwormˌholed, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wormhole¹

First recorded in 1585–95; worm + hole

Example Sentences

Theorists have been intensely debating how literally to take all these wormholes.

From Quanta Magazine

They have fried apple pies that seem to come through a wormhole from a 1987 McDonalds.

From Eater

In contrast, anything that falls into a wormhole should be able to pass right through to the other side.

From Science News For Students

Then, it would pass back all of the way through the wormhole and into the first universe again.

From Science News For Students

Gabella is part of a team that wondered what ripples from a wormhole might look like.

From Science News For Students

It offers the kind of refracted, wormhole narrative that generates comparisons to David Mitchell—deserved in this case.

From The Daily Beast

How about that wormhole, James, that we were worrying over before the separation of the upper table?

From Project Gutenberg

"I think maybe that speck isn't a wormhole, after all," said Phil, subjecting the apple she still held to another scrutiny.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose you might call me a semi-pro, able under ordinary circumstances to do any given wormhole in par.

From Project Gutenberg

I really believe he gets more pleasure out of one first-class, sixteenth-century wormhole than the original worm did.

From Project Gutenberg

Others attack only dead or dying bark and wood, but this injury often results in great loss from the so-called wormhole defects.

From Project Gutenberg

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