proboscis

noun

pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbä-səs  -ˈbä-skəs 

plural proboscises also proboscides prə-ˈbä-sə-ˌdēz 

1

a

: the trunk of an elephant

also : any long flexible snout

b

: the human nose especially when prominent

2

: any of various elongated or extensible tubular processes (such as the sucking organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an invertebrate

Illustration of proboscis

• P proboscis 2

Synonyms

• snout
• nose

Examples of proboscis in a Sentence

if there were a direct relation between mendacity and the length of one's proboscis, hers would be a mile long

Recent Examples on the Web

Well, then it’s being stolen right out from under its retracting proboscis, which is actually just another drooling head that lives in its mouth. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

This proboscis was lined with twin circular layers of teeth, one hard and rough, another soft and feather-like. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 11 Aug. 2025

Make that clothing lighter in weight to deal with summer heat, but be aware that mosquitoes can penetrate holes in the clothing with their proboscis. 3. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025

The Tully monster lived before the dinosaurs 300 million years ago and had a fish-like body, with a long, slender proboscis that had a toothed claw and eyes on either end of a rigid rod across its back. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek proboskis, from pro- + boskein to feed

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing proboscis

• proboscis monkey

Rhymes for proboscis

• colossus

Kids Definition

proboscis

noun

pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbäs-əs  -kəs 

plural proboscises also proboscides -ˈbäs-ə-ˌdēz 

1

: a long flexible snout

especially : the trunk of an elephant

2

: a long tube-shaped bodily part (as the sucking organ of a butterfly) in the mouth region of an invertebrate

Medical Definition

proboscis

noun

pro·​bos·​cis prə-ˈbäs-əs  -kəs 

plural proboscises also proboscides -ˈbäs-ə-ˌdēz 

: any of various elongated or extensible tubular organs or processes especially of the oral region of an invertebrate: as

a

: a sucking organ of insects (as houseflies or mosquitoes) that is often also adapted for piercing

b

: one of the complex protrusible holdfasts on the scolex of certain tapeworms