air passage

noun

plural air passages

: a channel or part through which air passes

It takes an extra shot of fuel right into the carburetor air passage to give an engine a burst of power when the accelerator pedal is depressed quickly.

—Popular Science

specifically : an anatomical part (such as the pharynx and bronchial tubes) involved in respiration

Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the air passages leading to the lungs …

—Jane E. Brody

While asthma was once defined purely as intermittent, reversible spasms of the air passages in the lungs, its underlying cause is now known to be chronic inflammation of those airways …

—Judy Packer-Tursman

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

air passage

noun

: a channel or part through which air passes

specifically : an anatomical part (such as the pharynx and bronchial tubes) involved in respiration

Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the air passages leading to the lungs …

—Jane E. Brody, The New York Times

While asthma was once defined purely as intermittent, reversible spasms of the air passages in the lungs, its underlying cause is now known to be chronic inflammation of those airways …

—Judy Packer-Tursman, The Washington Post