Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ciliary

adjective cil·i·ary \ ˈsi-lē-ˌer-ē \

Definition of ciliary

1 : of, relating to, or being the annular suspension of the lens of the eye
2 : of or relating to cilia

See ciliary defined for kids

First Known Use of ciliary

1691

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

ciliary

adjective cil·i·ary \ ˈsil-ē-ˌer-ē \

medical Definition of ciliary

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ciliary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

paste

play

to beat or defeat soundly

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exculpatory 'tending or serving to exculpate'

  2. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  3. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  4. uphold 'to let stand'

  5. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

ciliary

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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