eardrum

noun

ear·​drum ˈir-ˌdrəm How to pronounce eardrum (audio)

Examples of eardrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Carter, who turns 18 this month, also ruptured his eardrums and shrapnel wounds riddle his body. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026 Among his injuries, Carter lost his right hand and several fingers on his left hand, according to WDAF, while Preston lost a thumb, shattered multiple other fingers and ruptured his eardrums. Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026 One minute later, cackles rippled through my eardrums at a higher decibel than before. Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 The next day, while in a dissociative episode, Dunham put a large Q-tip in her ear and perforated her eardrum. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eardrum

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eardrum was in 1645

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Cite this Entry

“Eardrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eardrum. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

eardrum

noun
ear·​drum -ˌdrəm How to pronounce eardrum (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce eardrum (audio)

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