syrinx

noun syr·inx \ ˈsir-iŋ(k)s \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of syrinx

plural syringes play \sə-ˈriŋ-ˌgēz, -ˈrin-ˌjēz\ or syrinxes

[Late Latin, from Greek]

: panpipe

[New Latin, from Greek]

: the vocal organ of birds that is a special modification of the lower part of the trachea or of the bronchi or of both

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Recent Examples of syrinx from the Web

Authorities raided the house twice since 2010, finding heroin, ecstasy, prescription drugs and hundreds of syringes.

— OregonLive.com, "$30,000 loan by state of Oregon keeps flophouse open," 13 June 2018
Billiel included photos showing trash, discarded syringes, graffiti and holes in the playground surface.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "Facebook Complaint Of 'Destroyed' Pope Park Playground Draws Response From City Official," 10 June 2018
The plant on South Paca Street near M&T Bank Stadium fills syringes, cartridges and vials with drugs developed by other companies, and some of its own.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Vaccine and drug maker to expand one of its Baltimore plants," 7 June 2018
Workers there make 500 different products, fitted into syringes, vials, and ampoules.

— erika fry, Fortune, "Critical Condition: Inside Pfizer’s Drug Supply Problem," 22 May 2018
But the syringes, another of which Lewis and Lentz found in the grass during my visit, are another order of magnitude.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "A cache of syringes befoul a favorite South Jersey fishing spot," 20 Apr. 2018
Though federal funds still can’t be used for the syringes themselves, the money can go toward staff, vans, substance abuse counseling and referrals to treatment.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Rampant opioid injection: 'A ticking time bomb' that puts all Americans at risk for disease," 6 Apr. 2018
What initially caught my eye and incensed me wasn't the line of people, young and old, well groomed and disheveled, who waited to exchange used syringes for sterile ones.

— Woman's Day, "Why I Abandoned Tough Love Instead of My Child," 1 July 2016
Now most cases come when drug users share needles and syringes.

— USA TODAY, "5 kinds of hepatitis all attack one organ in the body," 29 May 2018

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

First Known Use of syrinx

1606

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

syrinx

noun syr·inx \ ˈsir-iŋ(k)s \

medical Definition of syrinx

plural syringes play \sə-ˈriŋ-ˌgēz, -ˈrin-ˌjēz\ or syrinxes

1 : the vocal organ of birds that is a special modification of the lower part of the trachea or of the bronchi or of both

2 : a pathological cavity in the brain or spinal cord especially in syringomyelia

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syrinx

Definition of syrinx

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syrinx

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