ear canal

noun

: the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane

Examples of ear canal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fifteen-year-old Furugh was born with microtia, a congenital condition that left her without an external right ear and ear canal, per FOX 5 New York. Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026 In-the-canal hearing aids: ITC hearing aids are the tiniest, with cases that fit entirely inside the ear canal. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026 Early shokuhin sampuru were relatively rough replicas molded out of wax; some pioneering artisans were more accustomed to, say, sculpting ear canals for otologists and solar systems for science classes. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025 Weighing less than a paperclip and sitting inside your ear canal, this device seems to disappear entirely. New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ear canal

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ear canal was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Ear canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ear%20canal. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

ear canal

noun

Medical Definition

ear canal

noun
: the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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