1
: of, relating to, or resembling mucus
2
: secreting or containing mucus
3
: covered with or as if with mucus : slimy
Examples of mucous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 11 Jan. 2023
The mucous surrounding the spines of most catfish often harbors bacteria that can cause a painful infection if the injury isn’t cleaned and treated quickly with antiseptic.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 24 May 2023
But that routine may increase their risk of infection because the virus is spread through airborne transmission from infected birds and indirectly through contact with saliva, mucous or feces.
—Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2023
Symptoms include the pink hue in the whites of the eyes, itchiness, light sensitivity, puffy or swollen eyelids, and mucous or pus discharge.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 4 May 2023
The acid-like mucous Sliggoo secretes all over its body can dissolve just about anything, but that doesn’t keep it from going in for a hug.
—Jhaan Elker, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022
The lungs have to be monitored to keep them in shape for the next owner, and mucous is removed.
—Dick Teresi, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2012
The reason this acid doesn’t corrode your stomach’s lining is because the stomach also produces a protective layer of bicarbonate and mucous.
—Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2023
This buildup of pressure leads to a burst of air and mucous into the lungs at around 500 mph—a speed nearly twice as fast as the world’s fastest cars.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023
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Adjective
For example, many people rinse their sinuses with a saline solution to help clear blockages of mucous during a cold.
—Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 11 Jan. 2023
The mucous surrounding the spines of most catfish often harbors bacteria that can cause a painful infection if the injury isn’t cleaned and treated quickly with antiseptic.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 24 May 2023
But that routine may increase their risk of infection because the virus is spread through airborne transmission from infected birds and indirectly through contact with saliva, mucous or feces.
—Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2023
Symptoms include the pink hue in the whites of the eyes, itchiness, light sensitivity, puffy or swollen eyelids, and mucous or pus discharge.
—Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 4 May 2023
The acid-like mucous Sliggoo secretes all over its body can dissolve just about anything, but that doesn’t keep it from going in for a hug.
—Jhaan Elker, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022
The lungs have to be monitored to keep them in shape for the next owner, and mucous is removed.
—Dick Teresi, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2012
The reason this acid doesn’t corrode your stomach’s lining is because the stomach also produces a protective layer of bicarbonate and mucous.
—Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 18 Feb. 2023
This buildup of pressure leads to a burst of air and mucous into the lungs at around 500 mph—a speed nearly twice as fast as the world’s fastest cars.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mucous.' 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
Adjective
Latin mucosus, from mucus
Phrases Containing mucous
Dictionary Entries Near mucous
Cite this Entry
“Mucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucous. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
mucous
adjective
mu·cous
ˈmyü-kəs 
1
: of, relating to, or resembling mucus
mucous discharges
2
: producing or containing mucus
a mucous gland
Medical Definition
mucous
adjective
mu·cous
ˈmyü-kəs
1
: covered with or as if with mucus
a mucous surface
2
: of, relating to, or resembling mucus
a mucous secretion
3
: secreting or containing mucus
mucous glands of the intestine
More from Merriam-Webster on mucous
Nglish: Translation of mucous for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mucous for Arabic Speakers
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