larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈler-iŋ(k)s 

ˈla-riŋ(k)s

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the modified upper part of the trachea of air-breathing vertebrates that in humans, most other mammals, and some amphibians and reptiles contains the vocal cords

Examples of larynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Responding firefighters discovered Maureen in the living room with severe burns, a fractured larynx and soot in her airway, the DA's office said. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The tribute performance comes after Aerosmith announced its retirement from touring in August 2024 following Tyler's onstage larynx fracture. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the larynx (voice box), leading to interruptions in speech. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

While the Turk is relatively well known (even lending its name to Amazon’s program for remote grunt workers), what is less known is that part of the same technological exhibition was a mechanical larynx, composed of a series of rubber flanges and bellows. —Adam Verner september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin laryng-, larynx, from Greek

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for larynx

• pharynx

Kids Definition

larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s 

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the upper part of the trachea that in human beings and most mammals contains the vocal cords

called also voice box

Medical Definition

larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s 

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the modified upper part of the respiratory passage of air-breathing vertebrates that is bounded above by the glottis, is continuous below with the trachea, has a complex cartilaginous or bony skeleton capable of limited motion through the action of associated muscles, and in humans, most other mammals, and a few lower forms has a set of elastic vocal cords that play a major role in sound production and speech

called also voice box