-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
In this artwork, Stubbs captures the distinct features of the animal, including the wide nostrils and large bones in the back of the head.
—Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Hopkins believed that this was evidence that aliens inserted an impact into her nostril.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
By that time, the smell of loneliness is already in his nostrils.
—Yukio Mishima, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024
After receiving stitches to close a gash from the corner of his mouth all the way up through his nostril, Plante returns to the ice wearing a mask.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nostril
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 11 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl
: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes
also
: either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose
Medical Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl
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
Nglish: Translation of nostril for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nostril for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nostril
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share