ptosis

noun

pto·​sis ˈtō-səs How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
plural ptoses ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
: a sagging or prolapse of an organ or part
especially : a drooping of the upper eyelid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Droopy eyelid, also called ptosis, is when the upper eyelid droops over the eye and blocks your vision. Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023 The technical term for my mother’s drooping eyelids was ptosis. Paul Muldoon, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2021 Freitag squints at my face on the screen and says my ptosis is perceptible but mild. Jancee Dunn, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2021 This is best for hiding the fact that my eyes are not symmetrical—a result of being born with ptosis, a drooping eyelid, and many operations to correct it. Gal Beckerman, The New Republic, 7 May 2018 The researchers did find that aging (duh), number of pregnancies and smoking did cause breast ptosis. Alexis Madrigal, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2007

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ptōsis act of falling, from piptein

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ptosis was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near ptosis

Cite this Entry

“Ptosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ptosis. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

ptosis

noun
pto·​sis ˈtō-səs How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
plural ptoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
: a sagging or prolapse of an organ or part
renal ptosis
especially : a drooping of the upper eyelid (as from paralysis of the oculomotor nerve)

More from Merriam-Webster on ptosis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY