outer ear
noun
: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone
Examples of outer ear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cut all the ear shapes out, then glue the inner ear shape on top of the outer ear shape, leaving about 1 inch at the bottom unattached.
—
Annabelle Canela, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
Sound collected by a deer’s large, swiveling outer ears is funneled through small, conical ducts into these bulbous structures protecting the middle and inner ears.
—Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
More recently, trials of transcutaneous devices, often placed around the neck or in the outer ear, have shown promising results in treating conditions including diabetes, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
The most common, otitis externa, affects the outer ear canal, while otitis media and otitis interna involve the middle and inner ear.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
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Annabelle Canela, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
Sound collected by a deer’s large, swiveling outer ears is funneled through small, conical ducts into these bulbous structures protecting the middle and inner ears.
—Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
More recently, trials of transcutaneous devices, often placed around the neck or in the outer ear, have shown promising results in treating conditions including diabetes, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
The most common, otitis externa, affects the outer ear canal, while otitis media and otitis interna involve the middle and inner ear.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outer ear
Cite this Entry
“Outer ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outer%20ear. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
outer ear
noun
out·er ear
ˈau̇t-ər- 
: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone
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