frenulum
noun
fren·u·lum
ˈfren-yə-ləm 
plural frenula
ˈfren-yə-lə
1
: a connecting fold of membrane serving to support or restrain a part (such as the tongue)
2
: a bristle or group of bristles on the front edge of the posterior wings of some lepidoptera that unites the wings by interlocking with a catch on the posterior part of the forewings
Examples of frenulum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nonetheless, Zaghi advocates for a surgery that cuts through the frenulum and sometimes into the muscle.
—
Christina Szalinski, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2021
Cutting the frenulum could even make sleep worse, Baldassari says.
—Christina Szalinski, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2021
To correct the problem, doctors snip the frenulum underneath the tongue to release it.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020
The surgery can be necessary for infants when the lingual frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too tight, restricting the tongue's movement.
—Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 15 July 2019
Honold had sustained extensive injuries—one of which Linda Walther, the nurse who examined her at the hospital, had never seen before: a torn labial frenulum, which connects the inside of the upper lip to the gums.
—Barbara Bradley Hagerty, The Atlantic, 15 July 2019
His frenulum — the ridge of tissue attaching the gums to the flesh of the lips and chin — was torn.
—Jane Wester, charlotteobserver, 22 Mar. 2018
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Christina Szalinski, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2021
Cutting the frenulum could even make sleep worse, Baldassari says.
—Christina Szalinski, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2021
To correct the problem, doctors snip the frenulum underneath the tongue to release it.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020
The surgery can be necessary for infants when the lingual frenulum, the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too tight, restricting the tongue's movement.
—Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 15 July 2019
Honold had sustained extensive injuries—one of which Linda Walther, the nurse who examined her at the hospital, had never seen before: a torn labial frenulum, which connects the inside of the upper lip to the gums.
—Barbara Bradley Hagerty, The Atlantic, 15 July 2019
His frenulum — the ridge of tissue attaching the gums to the flesh of the lips and chin — was torn.
—Jane Wester, charlotteobserver, 22 Mar. 2018
Dictionary Entries Near frenulum
Cite this Entry
“Frenulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenulum. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
frenulum
noun
fren·u·lum
ˈfren-yə-ləm
plural frenula
-lə
: a connecting fold of membrane serving to support or restrain a part (as the tongue)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share