esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsä-fə-gəs 

plural esophagi i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī  -ˌjī 

: a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach and that in humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach

esophageal

i-ˌsä-fə-ˈjē-əl 

adjective

Examples of esophagus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both conditions are diagnosed using endoscopy, a procedure that lets doctors examine the esophagus and take biopsies to check for abnormalities. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026

The condition raises the risk of cancer that starts in the esophagus, which is called esophageal cancer. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

While esophagitis itself does not directly cause cancer, the chronic inflammation can in some cases lead to Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that can increase the higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

According to the National Cancer Institute, esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ysophagus, from Medieval Latin ysofugus, from Greek oisophagos, from oisein to be going to carry + phagein to eat — more at baksheesh

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for esophagus

• phytophagous
• sarcophagus
• oesophagus

Kids Definition

esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs 

plural esophagi -ˌgī 

-ˌjī

: a muscular tube that leads from the cavity behind the mouth to the stomach

esophageal

-ˌsäf-ə-ˈjē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

esophagus

noun

esoph·​a·​gus

variants or chiefly British oesophagus

i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs 

plural esophagi -ˌgī  -ˌjī 

: a muscular tube that in adult humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach