turbinate

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

variants: or less commonly turbinated play \ˈtər-bə-ˌnā-təd\

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1661

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

Your doctor must know how to make more space by either fixing your septum, which separates the left and right airways, or reducing the size of your turbinates, the structures on the side wall inside the nose.

— carlos wolf, miamiherald, "Could a nose job make my breathing worse?," 23 Oct. 2017
All mammals have some ability to do this, even humans, thanks to scroll-like bones called turbinates that increase the surface area inside the nose.

— todd marshall, National Geographic, "Ice Age Beast Honked Like a Dinosaur," 4 Feb. 2016

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.