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

Achalasia is a chronic condition that causes trouble swallowing and passing food through the esophagus. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Nov. 2026

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD, is a leading cause of esophagitis, but it can also be caused by a buildup of white blood cells in the esophagus, or by medication. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026

Consuming caffeine relaxes the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which can cause stomach acid to move up into the esophagus and possibly lead to heartburn. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

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

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