SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

ampulla

noun
Save Word
am·​pul·​la | \ am-ˈpu̇-lə How to pronounce ampulla (audio) , ˈam-ˌpyü-lə How to pronounce ampulla (audio) \
plural ampullae\ am-​ˈpu-​(ˌ)lē How to pronounce ampulla (audio) , -​ˌlī , ˈam-​ˌpyü-​ \

Definition of ampulla

1 : a glass or earthenware flask with a globular body and two handles used especially by the ancient Romans to hold ointment, perfume, or wine
2 : a saccular anatomical swelling or pouch
Other Words from ampulla Example Sentences Phrases Containing ampulla Learn More About ampulla

Other Words from ampulla

ampullary \ am-​ˈpu̇-​lər-​ē How to pronounce ampulla (audio) , ˈam-​pyə-​ˌler-​ē \ adjective

Examples of ampulla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Another volunteer recently unearthed a slightly flattened ampulla, or small vessel created in the style of Roman jugs used by pilgrims to carry holy water or oil. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ampulla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ampulla

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ampulla

borrowed from Latin, going back to *amporela, diminutive of amphora amphora; (sense 2) borrowed from Medieval Latin, going back to Latin

Note: See also ampoule.

Learn More About ampulla

Time Traveler for ampulla

Time Traveler

The first known use of ampulla was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near ampulla

ampoule

ampulla

ampullaceous

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for ampulla

Cite this Entry

“Ampulla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ampulla. Accessed 2 Jul. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More Definitions for ampulla

ampulla

noun
am·​pul·​la | \ am-ˈpu̇-lə How to pronounce ampulla (audio) , ˈam-ˌpyü-lə How to pronounce ampulla (audio) \
plural ampullae\ -​ˌlē How to pronounce ampulla (audio) \

Medical Definition of ampulla

: a saccular anatomic swelling or pouch: as
a : the dilatation containing a patch of sensory epithelium at one end of each semicircular canal of the ear
b : one of the dilatations of the lactiferous tubules of the mammary glands that serve as reservoirs for milk
c(1) : the middle portion of the fallopian tube
(2) : the distal dilatation of a vas deferens near the opening of the duct leading from the seminal vesicle
d : a terminal dilatation of the rectum just before it joins the anal canal

More from Merriam-Webster on ampulla

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ampulla

WORD OF THE DAY

apposite

Listen to the pronunciation of apposite

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name That Food

  • a-light
  • Name these cookies!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games