turbinate

adjective

tur·bi·nate | \ ˈtər-bə-nət

, -ˌnāt\

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

Definition of turbinate

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : shaped like a top or an inverted cone turbinate seed capsule

2 : relating to or being a turbinate

turbinate

noun

Definition of turbinate (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Examples of turbinate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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.