ciliary
adjective
cil·i·ary
ˈsi-lē-ˌer-ē 
1
: of, relating to, or being the annular suspension of the lens of the eye
2
: of or relating to cilia
Examples of ciliary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Atropine paralyzes the ciliary muscle, which controls the size of the pupil and, for reasons scientists haven’t yet pinned down, also seems to slow down the progression of myopia.
—
Amit Katwala, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023
In addition to situs inversus, she was also born with primary ciliary dyskinesia, another rare condition that prevents cilia -- small hair-like structures that line the airways -- from moving mucus out, causing the mucus to build up.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2023
Skimping on sleep tires out the ciliary muscle, which helps your eyes focus.
—Rachel Swalin, Health, 6 Aug. 2023
ReCode grew out of UT Southwestern research into using nonviral lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA to treat cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2022
Vortical ciliary flows actively enhance mass transport in reef corals.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2014
The ciliary mixing enhances mass transport near the surface.
—Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2014
Their centimeter-wide chip is carpeted with about a thousand tiny platinum-titanium strips, divided into 16 ciliary units of 64 cilia each.
—Saugat Bolakhe, Scientific American, 11 July 2022
Programs to help treat cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia are in preclinical stages, using a non-viral lipid nanoparticle to deliver a payload to a specific organ.
—Ann Gehan, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2021
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Amit Katwala, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023
In addition to situs inversus, she was also born with primary ciliary dyskinesia, another rare condition that prevents cilia -- small hair-like structures that line the airways -- from moving mucus out, causing the mucus to build up.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2023
Skimping on sleep tires out the ciliary muscle, which helps your eyes focus.
—Rachel Swalin, Health, 6 Aug. 2023
ReCode grew out of UT Southwestern research into using nonviral lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA to treat cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
—Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2022
Vortical ciliary flows actively enhance mass transport in reef corals.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2014
The ciliary mixing enhances mass transport near the surface.
—Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2014
Their centimeter-wide chip is carpeted with about a thousand tiny platinum-titanium strips, divided into 16 ciliary units of 64 cilia each.
—Saugat Bolakhe, Scientific American, 11 July 2022
Programs to help treat cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia are in preclinical stages, using a non-viral lipid nanoparticle to deliver a payload to a specific organ.
—Ann Gehan, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ciliary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing ciliary
Dictionary Entries Near ciliary
Cite this Entry
“Ciliary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ciliary. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
ciliary
adjective
cil·i·ary
ˈsil-ē-ˌer-ē
1
: of or relating to cilia
ciliary movement
2
: of, relating to, or being the muscular body supporting the lens of the eye
ciliary muscles
Medical Definition
ciliary
adjective
cil·i·ary
ˈsil-ē-ˌer-ē
1
: of or relating to cilia
ciliary movement
2
: of, relating to, or being the annular suspension of the lens of the eye
a ciliary arteriole
ciliary spasm
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