proboscis

noun

pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbä-səs How to pronounce proboscis (audio) -ˈbä-skəs How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
plural proboscises also proboscides prə-ˈbä-sə-ˌdēz How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
1
a
: the trunk of an elephant
also : any long flexible snout
b
: the human nose especially when prominent
2
: any of various elongated or extensible tubular processes (such as the sucking organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an invertebrate

Illustration of proboscis

Illustration of proboscis
  • P proboscis 2

Examples of proboscis in a Sentence

if there were a direct relation between mendacity and the length of one's proboscis, hers would be a mile long
Recent Examples on the Web Perhaps unsurprisingly, the sweet trigger caused the simulation to send signals that would extend the proboscis, and the bitter one didn’t. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 However, its blood-sucking attempts are thwarted because its proboscis — aka its needle-like mouth — could not break through the skin. Abby Monteil, Them, 8 Oct. 2024 These stimuli triggered the brain to activate the motor neurons that in a real fly would move its proboscis, the insect equivalent of a tongue. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 These segmented worms—which can grow from about half an inch to 8 inches in length and sometimes stretch to 17 inches—insert their proboscis into their host’s skin to suck its blood. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for proboscis 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proboscis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek proboskis, from pro- + boskein to feed

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of proboscis was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near proboscis

Cite this Entry

“Proboscis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proboscis. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

proboscis

noun
pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbäs-əs How to pronounce proboscis (audio) -kəs How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
plural proboscises also proboscides -ˈbäs-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
1
: a long flexible snout
especially : the trunk of an elephant
2
: a long tube-shaped bodily part (as the sucking organ of a butterfly) in the mouth region of an invertebrate

Medical Definition

proboscis

noun
pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbäs-əs How to pronounce proboscis (audio) -kəs How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
plural proboscises also proboscides -ˈbäs-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce proboscis (audio)
: any of various elongated or extensible tubular organs or processes especially of the oral region of an invertebrate: as
a
: a sucking organ of insects (as houseflies or mosquitoes) that is often also adapted for piercing
b
: one of the complex protrusible holdfasts on the scolex of certain tapeworms

More from Merriam-Webster on proboscis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!