-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
pylorus
noun
py·lo·rus
pī-ˈlȯr-əs
pə-
plural pylori
pī-ˈlȯr-ˌī
-(ˌ)ē,
pə-
: the muscular opening from the vertebrate stomach into the intestine
Examples of pylorus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The closer a pill lands to the antrum, the last part of the stomach before the intestine, the faster the pill begins to dissolve and find its way through the pylorus into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2022
This is key, because once popped back open, those arms span wider than two centimeters—the diameter of the human pylorus, the gateway to the intestines.
—Wired, 4 Dec. 2019
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.
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Greek pylōros, literally, gatekeeper, from pylē
First Known Use
1565, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near pylorus
Cite this Entry
“Pylorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pylorus. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
pylorus
noun
py·lo·rus
pī-ˈlōr-əs
-ˈlȯr-
plural pylori
-ˈlō(ə)r-ˌī
-ˌē
: the opening in a vertebrate animal from the stomach into the intestine
pyloric
adjective
pī-ˈlōr-ik
pə-
-ˈlȯr-
Medical Definition
pylorus
noun
py·lo·rus
pī-ˈlōr-əs, pə-ˈlȯr-
plural pylori
-ˈlō(ə)r-ˌī, -(ˌ)ē
: the opening from the vertebrate stomach into the intestine see pyloric sphincter
More from Merriam-Webster on pylorus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pylorus
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share