nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnä-strəl 

1

: either of the external nares

broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the septum

2

: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

Examples of nostril in a Sentence

My left nostril is stuffed up.

She left in a rage, her nostrils flaring.

Recent Examples on the Web

Steam misted off a bubbling yellow lava; a buttery aroma filled my nostrils. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

The split design resembles flared nostrils smelling something unpleasant. —James Raia, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024

And whenever the wind kicked up, the smell of dust and dirt filled nostrils. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

The only logical solution is to get your dog into the bathtub as fast as possible to rid your house, your dog and your nostrils of the stench. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nosethirl, from Old English nosthyrl, from nosu nose + thyrel hole; akin to Old English thurh through

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl 

: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes

also : either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose

Etymology

Old English nosthyrl "nostril," literally "nose hole," from nosu "nose" and thyrel "hole" — related to thrill see Word History at thrill

Medical Definition

nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl 

1

: either of the external nares

broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum

2

: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose