trachea

noun

tra·​chea ˈtrā-kē-ə How to pronounce trachea (audio)
plural tracheae ˈtrā-kē-ˌē How to pronounce trachea (audio)
-kē-ˌī
also tracheas or trachea
1
: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates
2
[New Latin, from Medieval Latin] : vessel sense 3b
also : one of its constituent cellular elements
3
[New Latin] : one of the air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many other arthropods
tracheal adjective

Examples of trachea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nearby tissues like the bronchi and trachea also saw successful editing, albeit at lower levels. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 June 2024 The weapon wielded by the woman she was called to help had sliced through her trachea, leaving her with only one salvageable vocal cord. Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2024 The upper airway includes the larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), and trachea (windpipe).2 Irritated Lungs Inflammation, which is an immune response to infection or injury, is a common cause of irritated lungs. Amanda Gardner, Health, 1 June 2024 However, in season 8, it was revealed Henry had a tumor near his heart, causing bleeding in his lungs and trachea. Christina Dugan Ramirez, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for trachea 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trachea.' 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

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin trachia, from Greek tracheia (artēria) rough (artery), from feminine of trachys rough

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trachea was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near trachea

Cite this Entry

“Trachea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trachea. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

trachea

noun
tra·​chea ˈtrā-kē-ə How to pronounce trachea (audio)
plural tracheae -kē-ˌē How to pronounce trachea (audio)
-kē-ˌī
also tracheas or trachea
1
: the main part of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates

called also windpipe

2
: one of the tiny air-carrying tubes that form the respiratory system of most insects and many other land-dwelling arthropods (as spiders)
tracheal adjective

Medical Definition

trachea

noun
tra·​chea
ˈtrā-kē-ə, British also trə-ˈkē-ə
plural tracheae -kē-ˌē How to pronounce trachea (audio) also tracheas
: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs that is about four inches (10 centimeters) long and somewhat less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, extends down the front of the neck from the larynx, divides in two to form the bronchi, has walls of fibrous and muscular tissue stiffened by incomplete cartilaginous rings which keep it from collapsing, and is lined with mucous membrane whose epithelium is composed of columnar ciliated mucus-secreting cells

called also windpipe

More from Merriam-Webster on trachea

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