isthmus

noun

isth·​mus ˈi-sməs How to pronounce isthmus (audio)
1
: a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas
2
: a narrow anatomical part or passage connecting two larger structures or cavities

Examples of isthmus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Panama is a 480-mile-long strip of land, known as the isthmus, that extends from Costa Rica to Colombia, separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 The challenge for the SNP will be to stay atop the narrow isthmus between touting multiculturalism and democracy and claiming that these values are best realized outside a kingdom where both are already sacred. Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012 Radziner designed the upcountry Kula home to showcase sweeping views: an isthmus to the west and, further east, the Haleakalā volcano. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 Restrictions in the Darien Gap, the isthmus that connects South America with Central America, could create a bottleneck in Colombia. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for isthmus 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'isthmus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek isthmos

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of isthmus was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near isthmus

Cite this Entry

“Isthmus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isthmus. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

isthmus

noun
isth·​mus ˈis-məs How to pronounce isthmus (audio)
: a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas

Medical Definition

isthmus

noun
isth·​mus ˈis-məs How to pronounce isthmus (audio)
: a contracted anatomical part or passage connecting two larger structures or cavities: as
a
: an embryonic constriction separating the midbrain from the hindbrain
b
: the lower portion of the uterine corpus

More from Merriam-Webster on isthmus

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