vocal folds

plural noun

: the lower pair of vocal cords each of which when drawn taut, approximated to the contralateral member of the pair, and subjected to a flow of breath produces the voice

Examples of vocal folds in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These are little explosions made when the vocal folds are closed, explains Ian Maddieson, linguist and senior author on the 2023 paper. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Avoid Irritants Try to avoid anything that could irritate your throat or your vocal folds. Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Sep. 2024 Surgeons in Kyoto implanted a titanium bridge between his vocal cords (also known as vocal folds) to keep them from pressing together. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024 The arytenoids change the position of human vocal folds. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vocal folds 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocal folds was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near vocal folds

Cite this Entry

“Vocal folds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal%20folds. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

vocal folds

noun plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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