stoma

noun

sto·​ma ˈstō-mə 

plural stomata ˈstō-mə-tə  also stomas

1

: one of the minute openings in the epidermis of a plant organ (such as a leaf) through which gaseous interchange takes place

also : the opening with its associated cellular structures

2

: a small simple opening in or on the body of an animal

3

: an artificial permanent opening especially in the abdominal wall made in surgical procedures

Examples of stoma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After one treatment, Kang went to the emergency room when her colostomy stoma retracted, and a scan reportedly showed that the tumor had shrunk substantially. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

After being fitted with a stoma bag and diagnosed with two blood clots four weeks after the health scare, Felicity-Jo finally took her first steps in almost a month. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

The water absorbed through corn plants' roots exits tiny holes on their leaves called stomata. — Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 21 July 2025

These include a procedure for a stoma opening and reversal on her bowel for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), heart surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchoscopies and tracheostomy procedures on her airway. — Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

The goal of washing the leaves is to keep their stomata, which act like our pores, open and free of debris. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025

After many years of hiding the stoma bag, Levitt decided to buy a bikini for a family vacation to Cuba. — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025

The pouch reroutes urine through the urethra rather than to a stoma. — Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025

This procedure involves forming a stoma, or opening, in the abdomen through which waste is diverted into an external bag. — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek stomat-, stoma mouth

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for stoma

• chroma
• coma
• homa
• loma
• phoma
• soma
• adenocarcinoma
• choriocarcinoma
• pheochromocytoma
• ambystoma
• atheroma
• carcinoma

Kids Definition

stoma

noun

sto·​ma ˈstō-mə 

plural stomata -mət-ə 

: a small opening which is surrounded by two guard cells and through which moisture and gases pass in and out of the epidermis of a leaf

Medical Definition

stoma

noun

sto·​ma ˈstō-mə 

plural stomas

1

: any of various small simple bodily openings especially in a lower animal

2

: an artificial permanent opening especially in the abdominal wall made in surgical procedures

a colostomy stoma