plural glottises or glottides
ˈglä-tə-ˌdēz 
: the elongated space between the vocal cords
also
: the structures that surround this space compare epiglottis
Examples of glottis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Basically, the glottis opens and closes, building up and releasing pressure, resulting in purrs.
—
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
Because at the same time, the change in pressure causes the opening between your vocal cords, called the glottis, to snap shut.
—Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2023
There is typically a sound made, as the air is expelled through the (initially closed) glottis; however, most people can override this reflex and sneeze without making any noise from the vocal cords.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Oct. 2022
Your glottis, which is the space between your vocal cords, then closes, preventing any further air from entering.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 July 2022
The bulge seen during these big, leisurely yawns, is called glottis exposure.
—Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2021
These big, open passages inside the mouth cavity, namely the glottis and the Eustachian tubes, allow sound to pass through the animal and reach the eardrums from the inside as well as the more traditional external route.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2021
But when the glottis is closed, the air can’t move out, so tremendous pressure builds up in the air passages.
—Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Finally, the glottis swings open and the air rushes out.
—Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019
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Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
Because at the same time, the change in pressure causes the opening between your vocal cords, called the glottis, to snap shut.
—Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2023
There is typically a sound made, as the air is expelled through the (initially closed) glottis; however, most people can override this reflex and sneeze without making any noise from the vocal cords.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Oct. 2022
Your glottis, which is the space between your vocal cords, then closes, preventing any further air from entering.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 July 2022
The bulge seen during these big, leisurely yawns, is called glottis exposure.
—Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2021
These big, open passages inside the mouth cavity, namely the glottis and the Eustachian tubes, allow sound to pass through the animal and reach the eardrums from the inside as well as the more traditional external route.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2021
But when the glottis is closed, the air can’t move out, so tremendous pressure builds up in the air passages.
—Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Finally, the glottis swings open and the air rushes out.
—Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Glottis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glottis. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glottis
noun
glot·tis
ˈglät-əs
plural glottises or glottides
ˈglät-ə-ˌdēz
: the long opening between the vocal cords in the larynx
glottal
adjective
ˈglät-ᵊl
Medical Definition
glottis
noun
glot·tis
ˈglät-əs
plural glottises or glottides
-ə-ˌdēz
: the space between one of the true vocal cords and the arytenoid cartilage on one side of the larynx and those of the other side
also
: the structures that surround this space compare epiglottis
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