eardrum

noun

ear·​drum ˈir-ˌdrəm 

: tympanic membrane

Examples of eardrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This means almost all of the surrounding noise was pushing past the buds and reaching my eardrums. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Last year, country star Cody Johnson canceled all of his remaining 2025 tour dates after doctors discovered a ruptured eardrum that required immediate surgery. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Müller mentioned that his machine used an artificial ear, a mechanism simulating the human eardrum that gathered sound from the air and was employed during the 1780s as a hearing aid. — Ron Cowen, Scientific American, 3 June 2026

Carter, who turns 18 this month, also ruptured his eardrums and shrapnel wounds riddle his body. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eardrum

noun

ear·​drum -ˌdrəm 

: the thin membrane that separates the outer and middle ear and carries sound waves as vibrations to the chain of tiny bones in the middle ear

called also tympanic membrane, tympanum

Medical Definition

eardrum

noun

ear·​drum -ˌdrəm 

: tympanic membrane