trachea

noun

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tra·chea | \ ˈtrā-kē-ə

plural tracheae\ ˈtrā-kē-ˌē

, -kē-ˌī \ also tracheas or trachea

Definition of trachea

1 : the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates

2 [New Latin, from Medieval Latin] : vessel sense 3b also : one of its constituent cellular elements

3 [New Latin] : one of the air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many other arthropods

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Examples of trachea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gaal had suffered defensive wounds on her hands and fingers before her trachea and carotid artery were cut, according to authorities. — Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 22 Apr. 2022 Emilio didn’t leave the hospital for five months, following multiple surgeries on his trachea and abdomen. — Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2020 There was swelling in his trachea and at the back of his throat, according to the report. — Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 Among chickens, all strains of the infectious bronchitis virus affect the trachea, but some mutant strains have emerged that damage the kidneys. — Donald S. Burke, STAT, 18 Feb. 2022 Whereas the larynx resides at the top of the main airway, the syrinx sits at the bottom, where the trachea (aka the windpipe) branches out to the lungs. — Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022 Predators such as mountain lions which kill deer by biting into their trachea or over their nose and mouth, could be infected while feasting. — New York Times, 7 Feb. 2022 Predators such as mountain lions which kill deer by biting into their trachea or over their nose and mouth, could be infected while feasting. — Emily Anthes, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2022 Birds have two lungs that are connected to the outside by the trachea, but in addition they are connected to several large, thin-walled air sacs that fill much of the chest and the abdominal cavity. — Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Dec. 2021 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near trachea

trache-

trachea

tracheal commissure

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Last Updated

5 May 2022

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“Trachea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trachea. Accessed 22 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for trachea

trachea

noun

tra·chea | \ ˈtrā-kē-ə

plural tracheae\ -kē-ˌē \

Kids Definition of trachea

1 : a stiff-walled tube of the respiratory system that connects the pharynx with the lungs

2 : a breathing tube of an insect that connects with the outside of the body and carries oxygen directly to the cells

trachea

noun

tra·chea | \ ˈtrā-kē-ə, British also trə-ˈkē-ə \

plural tracheae\ -kē-ˌē

\ also tracheas

Medical Definition of trachea

: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs that is about four inches (10 centimeters) long and somewhat less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, extends down the front of the neck from the larynx, divides in two to form the bronchi, has walls of fibrous and muscular tissue stiffened by incomplete cartilaginous rings which keep it from collapsing, and is lined with mucous membrane whose epithelium is composed of columnar ciliated mucus-secreting cells

— called also windpipe