Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

gill arch

noun

Definition of gill arch

1 : any of the bony or cartilaginous arches or curved bars extending dorsoventrally and placed one behind the other on each side of the pharynx and supporting the gills of fishes and amphibians
2 : any of the rudimentary ridges in the embryos of all higher vertebrates that correspond to the gill arches

See gill arch defined for kids

First Known Use of gill arch

1879

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

gill arch

noun

medical Definition of gill arch

: one of the bony or cartilaginous arches or curved bars extending dorsoventrally and placed one behind the other on each side of the pharynx and supporting the gills of fishes and amphibians; also : branchial arch

Learn More about gill arch

  1. See words that rhyme with gill arch Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gill arch

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up gill arch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

gill arch

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games