mucus

noun

mu·cus ˈmyü-kəs

: a viscid slippery secretion that is usually rich in mucins and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects

Examples of mucus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective gene that results in a buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. —

Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 Your mucus will be too thick to clear out irritants if you are dehydrated. —

Sarah Bradley, Health, 31 Aug. 2023 For babies, suction the mucus from the nose with a bulb syringe. —

Nicole Harris, Parents, 25 Aug. 2023 Part of the body’s response to infection is to make a great deal of mucus to wash the infection away. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 12 Sep. 2023 Garlic cloves block your sinuses instead of clearing them and may increase mucus production. —

Karen Pallarito, Health, 3 Sep. 2023 The inflamed gallbladder may become swollen and filled with mucus, leading to a blockage that restricts the flow of bile. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023 Your kid may also experience postnasal drip, which feels like mucus running down the throat or chest. —

Nicole Harris, Parents, 24 Aug. 2023 In serious cases, however, an infection can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis, which inflames airways and clogs them with mucus. —

Aria Bendix, NBC News, 21 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mucus.' 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

borrowed from Latin mūcus, muccus "nasal discharge," perhaps going back to *moukos, o-grade derivative of Indo-European *(s)muk- "nasal discharge," *(s)meuk- "undo, loosen, wipe off" — more at myxo-

Note: See note at myxo-.

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of mucus was in 1597

See more words from the same year