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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Just avoid going near your outer ear canal. —Korin Miller, SELF, 24 June 2022

Clean your outer ear using a cloth or paper towel. —Madeleine Burry, Health, 3 Mar. 2023

Last year, in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Arturo Bonilla carefully implanted an outer ear on a 20-year-old woman born without one. —Carolyn Barber, Fortune Well, 15 Feb. 2023

But oftentimes, inner-body sounds like this are picked up mostly by the outer ear in the conventional manner, says Dennis Trune of the Oregon Hearing Research Center. —Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2017

The Outer Ear: The auricle (pinna) is thevisible portion of the outer ear. —Brian Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have a hard plastic case containing the electronics behind the ear and a small wire connected to a plastic earmold that fits into the outer ear. —Dallas News, 19 Oct. 2022

Some models put most of the electronics behind the ear, then run a wire or tube to a receiver in the ear canal or fit it into the outer ear. —Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outer ear

noun

: the outer visible part of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the eardrum by way of a canal through the temporal bone

Medical 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