cloaca

noun clo·a·ca \ klō-ˈā-kə \

Definition of cloaca

plural cloacae play \-ˌkē, -ˌsē\

1 : ³sewer

2 a

[New Latin, from Latin]

: the common chamber into which the intestinal and urogenital tracts discharge especially in monotreme mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and elasmobranch fishes; also : a comparable chamber of an invertebrate

b : the enlarged terminal part of the posterior embryonic digestive tract of a mammal that gives rise to the rectum, upper anal canal, and urogenital sinus

3 : cesspool 2

—

cloacal

play \-ˈā-kəl\ adjective

See cloaca defined for kids

Recent Examples of cloaca from the Web

His lower appendage suggests a phallic cloaca rummaging around inside a toy version of the wide-open Capitol building.

— sarah boxer, The Atlantic, "Why Is Donald Trump So Hard to Caricature?," 10 Mar. 2018
The male’s penis emerges from his cloaca, going under the female’s shell and into hers.

— liz langley, National Geographic, "How do Animals Have Sex Underwater?," 27 May 2017
Male and female birds typically have a cloaca, or vent, which is an opening to their reproductive, digestive, and urinary systems.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "Watch the Awkward Balancing Act of Seagull Mating," 1 June 2017
The hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) of the eastern U.S. is famous for dangling its tongue limply from its mouth and leaking fluid out of its cloaca, its all-purpose hole.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Watch the Bizarre Moment a Snake Plays Dead," 14 Dec. 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of cloaca

Latin; akin to Greek klyzein to wash — more at clyster

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1656

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

cloaca

noun clo·aca \ klō-ˈā-kə \

medical Definition of cloaca

plural cloacae play \-ˌkē, -ˌsē\

1 a : the common chamber into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals discharge especially in monotreme mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and elasmobranch fishes

b : the terminal part of the embryonic hindgut of a mammal before it divides into rectum, bladder, and genital precursors

2 : a passage in a bone leading to a cavity containing a sequestrum

—