nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnä-strəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
1
: either of the external nares
broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

Examples of nostril in a Sentence

My left nostril is stuffed up. She left in a rage, her nostrils flaring.
Recent Examples on the Web Then Smith’s hand reaches into the frame to spray Narcan into Q’s nostril. Jesse Barron, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023 The spiky rear wing and flared nostrils in the hood worked in tandem to provide immense downforce while limiting drag. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 21 Aug. 2023 Poinsett played despite a bloody nose that required one nostril to be filled with cotton. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2023 Breathe in through your left nostril and then close it with your fourth finger of your right hand, while releasing your thumb from your left nostril and breathing out through your right nostril. Bianca London, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2023 Develop helpful exercises and strategies like alternate nostril breathing and breathing control. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 23 Oct. 2023 People with alopecia, or hair loss, can lose their nostril hair, and the scientists want to learn how this impacted their health. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023 Place the tip of the nasal spray in either nostril until your fingers are touching their nose. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2023 Sagebrush, citrus blossom and desert lavender are not tasteful hand-soap scents but bright, vivid colors in your nostrils. Kim Janssen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023 See More

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

Middle English nosethirl, from Old English nosthyrl, from nosu nose + thyrel hole; akin to Old English thurh through

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nostril was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nostril

Cite this Entry

“Nostril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostril. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

nostril

noun
nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes
also : either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose
Etymology

Old English nosthyrl "nostril," literally "nose hole," from nosu "nose" and thyrel "hole" — related to thrill see Word History at thrill

Medical Definition

nostril

noun
nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
1
: either of the external nares
broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

More from Merriam-Webster on nostril

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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