am·pul·la
| \ am-ˈpu̇-lə
, ˈam-ˌpyü-lə
\
, ˈam-ˌpyü-lə
\
plural ampullae\
am-ˈpu-(ˌ)lē
, -ˌlī , ˈam-ˌpyü-
\
, -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
ampullary
\
am-ˈpu̇-lər-ē
, ˈam-pyə-ˌler-ē
\
adjective
, ˈam-pyə-ˌler-ē
\
adjective
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about ampulla
Dictionary Entries near ampulla
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for ampulla
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Ampulla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ampulla. Accessed 25 Feb. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for ampulla
ampulla
noun
am·pul·la
| \ am-ˈpu̇-lə
, ˈam-ˌpyü-lə
\
, ˈam-ˌpyü-lə
\
plural ampullae\
-ˌlē
\
\
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
Comments on ampulla
What made you want to look up ampulla? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
-
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share ampulla
Time Traveler for ampulla
The first known use of ampulla was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century