sandworm
noun
sand·worm ˈsan(d)-ˌwərm 
: any of various sand-dwelling polychaete worms: such as
a
: any of several large burrowing worms (especially genus Nereis) often used as bait
b
: lugworm
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web These predators can even pick up food simply by moving like the sticky, tiny offspring of a sandworm and a piece of cavatappi pasta. 
Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2022 One such moment is a stirring scene in which Paul and Leto visit a spice harvester only to be attacked by a terrifying sandworm. Daron James, Variety, 17 Mar. 2022 The sandworm is the signature creation of Dune author Frank Herbert; its mammoth body and gaping mouth adorn many a paperback cover. Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2022 Making an appearance in their stead: a giant sandworm puppet, brought out by Wilson at various points. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2022 Speaking of worms, the protagonist of the fourth book, God Emperor of Dune, is a 3,000-year-old human-sandworm hybrid who rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Nate Jones, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2021 The Denis Villeneuve film also debuted Thursday on HBO Max, which likely took a sandworm-sized bite out of ticket sales. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2021 By the end of Children of Dune, one character has begun to transform themself into a human-sandworm hybrid that becomes the title character of God Emperor of Dune. Christian Holub, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2021 Villeneuve’s sandworm opus debuted on the ad-free version of HBO Max on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2021 See More
Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2022 One such moment is a stirring scene in which Paul and Leto visit a spice harvester only to be attacked by a terrifying sandworm. Daron James, Variety, 17 Mar. 2022 The sandworm is the signature creation of Dune author Frank Herbert; its mammoth body and gaping mouth adorn many a paperback cover. Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2022 Making an appearance in their stead: a giant sandworm puppet, brought out by Wilson at various points. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2022 Speaking of worms, the protagonist of the fourth book, God Emperor of Dune, is a 3,000-year-old human-sandworm hybrid who rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Nate Jones, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2021 The Denis Villeneuve film also debuted Thursday on HBO Max, which likely took a sandworm-sized bite out of ticket sales. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2021 By the end of Children of Dune, one character has begun to transform themself into a human-sandworm hybrid that becomes the title character of God Emperor of Dune. Christian Holub, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2021 Villeneuve’s sandworm opus debuted on the ad-free version of HBO Max on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1776, in the meaning defined above