cochlea

play

noun co·chlea \ ˈkō-klē-ə , ˈkä-klē- \

Definition of cochlea

plural cochleas or cochleae play \-klē-ˌē, -ˌī\

:a hollow tube in the inner ear of higher vertebrates that is usually coiled like a snail shell and contains the sensory organ of hearing — see ear illustration

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cochlear

play \ˈkō-klē-ər, ˈkä-\ adjective

See cochlea defined for English-language learners

See cochlea defined for kids

Recent Examples of cochlea from the Web

Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Playing Football to the Beat of Their Own, Literal Drummer," 15 May 2017
Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Playing Football to the Beat of Their Own, Literal Drummer," 15 May 2017
Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Playing Football to the Beat of Their Own, Literal Drummer," 15 May 2017
Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Playing Football to the Beat of Their Own, Literal Drummer," 15 May 2017
Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— michelle w., Longreads, "Playing Football to the Beat of Their Own, Literal Drummer," 15 May 2017
Cochlear implantation is an invasive surgery that places an implant into the cochlea, the spiral within the inner ear that contains the primary organ for hearing.

— matthew davis, The Atlantic, "'America's Deaf Team' Tackles Identity Politics," 10 May 2017
Another part of the inner ear, a thin, bony structure within the cochlea, provided further evidence of the ability.

— jonah engel bromwich, New York Times, "An Ancient ‘Echo Hunter’ Provides Clues on Whale Evolution," 4 Aug. 2016
And three-dimensional audio that shifts around you as your head turns can create an enveloping experience, but Yang reminded attendees that the tiny hairs on the cochleas in your ears don’t just perceive sound—

— chris baker, WIRED, "For Disney, the Future of VR Goes Beyond a Headset," 9 Mar. 2015

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

Origin and Etymology of cochlea

New Latin, from Latin, snail, snail shell, from Greek kochlias, from kochlos snail; probably akin to Greek konchē mussel

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First Known Use: 1688

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COCHLEA Defined for English Language Learners

cochlea

play

noun

Definition of cochlea for English Language Learners

: the part of the inner ear that contains the endings of the nerve that carries information about sound to the brain

COCHLEA Defined for Kids

cochlea

play

noun co·chlea \ ˈkō-klē-ə , ˈkä- \

Definition of cochlea for Students

plural cochleas or cochleae \-ˌē, -ˌī\

:a coiled tube in the inner part of the ear that contains the endings of the nerve which carries information about sound to the brain

Medical Dictionary

cochlea

play

noun co·chle·a \ ˈkō-klē-ə , ˈkäk-lē- \

medical Definition of cochlea

plural cochleas or cochleae play \ˈkō-klē-ˌē, ˈkäk-lē-ˌē, -ˌī\

:a division of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear coiled into the form of a snail shell and consisting of a spiral canal in the petrous part of the temporal bone in which lies a smaller membranous spiral passage that communicates with the saccule at the base of the spiral, ends blindly near its apex, and contains the organ of Corti

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