Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×
1

turbinate

adjective tur·bi·nate \ ˈtər-bə-nət , -ˌnāt \
variants: or less commonly turbinated play \ˈtər-bə-ˌnā-təd\
|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of turbinate

1 : shaped like a top or an inverted cone
  • turbinate seed capsule
2 : relating to or being a turbinate

Origin and Etymology of turbinate

Latin turbinatus, from turbin-, turbo

2

turbinate

noun

Definition of turbinate

: one of usually several thin plicated membrane-covered bony or cartilaginous plates on the walls of the nasal chambers

Recent Examples of turbinate from the Web

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

First Known Use of turbinate

1873

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

1

turbinate

adjective tur·bi·nate \ ˈtər-bə-nət , -ˌnāt \

medical Definition of turbinate

: of, relating to, or being a nasal concha
2

turbinate

noun

medical Definition of turbinate

: nasal concha

Learn More about turbinate

  1. See words that rhyme with turbinate Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turbinate

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up turbinate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

quail

play

to recoil in dread or terror

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

turbinate

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games