outer ear

noun

Definition of outer ear

: 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 With right sides together, pin together an inner and outer ear. — Heidi Palkovic, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2021 The outer ear is one of the newer places clinicians are exploring as an access point to the vagus nerve. — Katie Palmer, STAT, 24 Apr. 2021 The cartilaginous ridges, troughs and protuberances of the outer ear also alter sound before it is transduced into nerve signals. — The Economist, 16 Dec. 2020 Andre was born with microtia, a birth defect where the outer ear does not fully develop during pregnancy. — Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 3 Aug. 2020 To alleviate her suffering, veterinarians eventually decided to remove Lady's outer ear flaps -- which left her looking a little funny. — Alaa Elassar, CNN, 19 Jan. 2020 Surfer’s ear is different from the more common swimmer’s ear, which is a bacterial infection in the outer ear canal. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 16 Aug. 2019 When the water has drained out, gently dry your outer ear with a towel or blow dryer. — Korin Miller, SELF, 29 Jan. 2019 Then, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal, tilt your head, pull your outer ear up and back to straighten your ear canal, and tip your head to the side to let the liquid drain out. — Korin Miller, SELF, 11 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outer ear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near outer ear

outer-direction

outer ear

outer form

Statistics for outer ear

Cite this Entry

“Outer ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outer%20ear. Accessed 6 Dec. 2021.

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More Definitions for outer ear

outer ear

noun

English Language Learners Definition of outer ear

: the part of the ear that can be seen on the outside of your head

See the full definition for outer ear in the English Language Learners Dictionary

outer ear

noun

out·er ear | \ ˈau̇t-ər-

Medical Definition of outer ear

: 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