mucus

noun

mu·​cus ˈmyü-kəs How to pronounce mucus (audio)
: a viscid slippery secretion that is usually rich in mucins and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects

Examples of mucus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This drug-free nasal suction device works quickly to soothe nasal passages by sucking out mucus, allergens and germs. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024 Neti pots are commonly used to flush the nasal passages, helping to alleviate allergy symptoms or clear mucus during a sinus infection. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 People who are infected with pathogens can expel them from their bodies in saliva, mucus, blood, urine and feces as well as in respiratory secretions in the form of droplets and aerosols. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 In the first years of a child’s life, Creech said parents could use a bulb syringe, used to remove mucus from a baby’s mouth and nose, to help relieve nasal congestion. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 Share [Findings] Stinging water was blamed on jellyfish mucus. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 His father walked with a slight limp and coughed up mucus into the bathroom sink every night without washing it away. Thomas Korsgaard, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 The mucus will thicken a bit and may turn light yellow. Rebecca Stewart, Parents, 21 Dec. 2023 The next step to survive on land was having a thicker skin, losing the mucus and having the ability to retain water. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024

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

borrowed from Latin mūcus, muccus "nasal discharge," perhaps going back to *moukos, o-grade derivative of Indo-European *(s)muk- "nasal discharge," *(s)meuk- "undo, loosen, wipe off" — more at myxo-

Note: See note at myxo-.

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mucus was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near mucus

Cite this Entry

“Mucus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mucus

noun
mu·​cus ˈmyü-kəs How to pronounce mucus (audio)
: a slippery sticky substance produced especially by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects

Medical Definition

mucus

noun
mu·​cus ˈmyü-kəs How to pronounce mucus (audio)
: a viscid slippery secretion that is usually rich in mucins and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects

More from Merriam-Webster on mucus

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