sinus

noun

si·​nus ˈsī-nəs How to pronounce sinus (audio)
: cavity, hollow: such as
a
: a narrow elongated tract extending from a focus of suppuration and serving for the discharge of pus
b(1)
: a cavity in the substance of a bone of the skull that usually communicates with the nostrils and contains air
(2)
: a channel for venous blood
(3)
: a dilatation in a bodily canal or vessel
c
: a cleft or indentation between adjoining lobes (as of a leaf or corolla)

Examples of sinus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the air turns crisp in fall and winter, the dryness indoors can sneak up on you — and so can flaky skin, a scratchy throat, and stuffy sinuses (not to mention allergens). Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025 Others are easily Googleable, but harmless questions asking when graduation is, if there are printing services on campus and if university health services will treat a sinus infection. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025 The best down alternative pillows, however, are popular for resembling down without the dust and mites that can often wreak havoc on sinuses overnight. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025 Some had a fungal infection called mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which can infect the nasal passages, sinuses, lungs and skin of people who have chronic high blood glucose or are immunocompromised. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sinus

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, curve, fold, hollow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sinus was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sinus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinus. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

sinus

noun
si·​nus ˈsī-nəs How to pronounce sinus (audio)
: a hollow place : cavity
especially : any of several cavities in the skull that usually connect with the nostrils

Medical Definition

sinus

noun
si·​nus ˈsī-nəs How to pronounce sinus (audio)
: a cavity or hollow in the body: as
a
: a narrow elongated tract extending from a focus of suppuration and serving for the discharge of pus
a tuberculous sinus
b(1)
: a cavity in the substance of a bone of the skull that usually communicates with the nostrils and contains air
(2)
: a channel for venous blood
(3)
: a dilatation in a bodily canal or vessel

More from Merriam-Webster on sinus

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