nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnä-strəl 

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

Notice how one nostril seems to be letting in most of the air? —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026

Then open your right nostril, and exhale through your right nostril. —Daya Grant, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026

His nostrils are filled with the pungent smoke that engulfed his childhood home and claimed the lives of his grandmother and 11-month-old cousin in 2018. —Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026

Ruptures, tears, and cracks are known to shape zebra fish nostrils, hydra mouths, fruit fly legs, and whole flatworms. —Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for nostril

• austral
• rostral

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

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 

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