labial

1 of 2

adjective

la·​bi·​al ˈlā-bē-əl How to pronounce labial (audio)
1
: uttered with the participation of one or both lips
the labial sounds \f\, \p\, and \ü\
2
: of, relating to, or situated near the lips or labia
labially adverb

labial

2 of 2

noun

: a labial consonant

Examples of labial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Here, one of his patients before (left) and after pan-facial filler, including in the nasal labial folds, chin, and cheeks. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 24 Sep. 2024 Typical labial color can range from pink to purple to brown or black. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024 Anatomy Considerations: Sometimes, the appearance of deep nasal labial folds can be due to volume loss in other areas of the face, like the cheeks. Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 11 May 2024 Viewers could peer through a labial fold in the sculpture at an illuminated scene contained within. Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2022 All the figures expose indented vulvas with no labial interface; breasts have no nipples. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2021 Notably, female bonobos have massive, cantaloupe-sized labial swellings and prominent clitorises that can reach two and a half inches when erect. Rachel E. Gross, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2022 Some are revealed to have long, squiggly tails — spermatozoa, perhaps, which resonate against the labial form that Rist designed for the lights. Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2021 The gallery puts Hesse’s and Wilke’s work in separate rooms—and in Wilke’s, the labial folds abound. Sophie Madeline Dess, The New Republic, 18 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin labialis, from Latin labium lip

First Known Use

Adjective

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labial was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near labial

Cite this Entry

“Labial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labial. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

labial

adjective
la·​bi·​al
ˈlā-bē-əl
: of or relating to the lips or labia

Medical Definition

labial

adjective
la·​bi·​al ˈlā-bē-əl How to pronounce labial (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or situated near the lips or labia
2
: uttered with the participation of one or both lips
the labial sounds \f\, \p\, and \ü\
labially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on labial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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