uvula

noun

uvu·​la ˈyü-vyə-lə How to pronounce uvula (audio)
plural uvulas or uvulae ˈyü-vyə-ˌlē How to pronounce uvula (audio)
-ˌlī
: the pendent fleshy lobe in the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate

Examples of uvula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Maybe that video thumbnail showing off Donaldson’s pearly whites instead of his uvula will help. Wes Davis, The Verge, 23 Sep. 2023 In the medical genetics department at Rienhoff’s alma mater, a colleague introduced him to Bart Loeys, an expert physician and geneticist who found Beatrice had a split uvula, the projection of the soft palate at the back of the throat. Delthia Ricks, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2011 Elevate your soft pal-ate (the back of the roof of your mouth)and your uvula (the fleshy protrusion that hangs from your soft palate) while making the vowel sound a. Paul Kita, Men's Health, 15 Dec. 2022 The uvula is the light-bulb pull-cord at the top of the stairs to the basement to the soul. Talia Argondezzi, The New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2022 The flap is similar to a uvula in humans, which is pushed back when swallowing to prevent food or fluids from ending up in the space behind the nose. Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2022 As an adult content creator who launched her own OnlyFans-esque platform, Unfiltrd, Matto receives dozens of requests for custom content per day, ranging from photos of her uvula to vials of her own poop. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2022 More serious symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue and uvula (that thing that hangs down in the back of the throat). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 21 June 2021 Caleb had a floppy larynx and Sarah had a congested uvula that could have obstructed their airways. Rod McGuirk, Star Tribune, 24 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uvula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, diminutive of Latin uva cluster of grapes, uvula; probably akin to Greek oa service tree, Old English īw yew — more at yew

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uvula was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uvula

Cite this Entry

“Uvula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uvula. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

uvula

noun
uvu·​la ˈyü-vyə-lə How to pronounce uvula (audio)
plural uvulas or uvulae -ˌlē How to pronounce uvula (audio)
-ˌlī
: the small fleshy fingerlike part hanging down from the back part of the roof of the mouth

Medical Definition

uvula

noun
uvu·​la ˈyü-vyə-lə How to pronounce uvula (audio)
plural uvulas -ləz How to pronounce uvula (audio) or uvulae -ˌlē How to pronounce uvula (audio)
1
: the pendent fleshy lobe in the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate
2
: a lobe of the inferior vermis of the cerebellum located in front of the pyramid
uvular adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on uvula

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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