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

After receiving stitches to close a gash from the corner of his mouth all the way up through his nostril, Plante returns to the ice wearing a mask. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

That’s because the skin inside your nostrils (known as mucosal skin) is super thin and sensitive, Dr. Shokeen explains. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024

Prabowo listens to her tearful pleas and instructs a secretary to take them straight to a doctor; the same for an old woman with a tumor sprouting out of one nostril. —Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024

To use it, spray half of the contents in one nostril and then the other half in the other nostril.3 What Are the Risks of FluMist? —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 30 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