plural striae ˈstrī-ˌē How to pronounce stria (audio)
1
2
: a stripe or line (as in the skin) distinguished from the surrounding area by color, texture, or elevation compare stretch marks

Examples of stria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Furthermore, the subcortical amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), striatal, hippocampal and brainstem circuits, and to some extent aspects of cortical regulatory areas, are highly conserved in form and function across mammals. Dean Mobbs, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2019 Two regions — the central nucleus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminals — both spiked. Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin, furrow, channel — more at strike

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stria was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stria. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

stria

noun
plural striae ˈstrī-ˌē How to pronounce stria (audio)
1
2
: a narrow structural band especially of nerve fibers
3
: a stripe or line (as in the skin) distinguished from surrounding tissue by color, texture, or elevation see stretch marks
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