orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs 

ˈär-

: an opening (such as a vent, mouth, or hole) through which something may pass

an anatomical orifice

the nozzle orifice

the cone built up from the cinders around the eruption orifice

—R. H. Mohlenbrock

orificial

ˌȯr-ə-ˈfi-shəl 

ˌär-

adjective

Synonyms of orifice

• aperture
• hole

Examples of orifice in a Sentence

the mouth is a bodily orifice

Recent Examples on the Web

Flies find a dead body very quickly and lay their eggs in a natural orifice, such as an eye, or in a wound. — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025

Bell then take a straw of his own, sticks it into Peck's mouth, and begins sipping liquid from his pal's oral orifice. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025

The experts say New World screwworms are different, as females tend to lay eggs in wounds or body orifices, such as the ears or nose. — Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Especially if the players in front of Oettinger insist on having the game shoved down every orifice of their body. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin orificium, from Latin or-, os mouth + facere to make, do — more at oral, do

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs 

ˈär-

: an opening (as a mouth or hole) through which something may pass

Medical Definition

orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs, ˈär- 

: an opening through which something may pass

orificial

ˌȯr-ə-ˈfish-əl, ˌär- 

adjective