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

The average person produces between 1 and 1.5 quarts of mucus daily, primarily from glands in the nose, throat, sinuses and lungs. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

Your sinuses are usually connected to your nasal passages to help warm and humidify air and produce mucus for you, but they shouldn’t be connected to your butt. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

There are two main types: hormonal IUDs, which release progestin to thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining, and copper IUDs, which use copper’s natural spermicidal properties. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 23 May 2025

Cervical mucus is fluid produced by glands within the cervix. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025

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

Rhymes for mucus

• fucus
• mucous
• caducous
• sambucus
• submucous
• verrucous

Kids Definition

mucus

noun

mu·​cus ˈmyü-kəs 

: a slippery sticky substance produced especially by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects

Medical Definition

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