plural vela
ˈvē-lə 
1
: a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: such as
a
b
: an annular membrane projecting inward from the margin of the bell in some jellyfishes (such as the hydromedusae)
2
: a swimming organ that is especially well developed in the later larval stages of many marine gastropods
Examples of velum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those sensors detect the subtle vibrations that are transmitted to the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (in the neck) from other anatomical locations including the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025
The result is a visual feast featuring velum paneling, burled wood doors with brass inlay, jewel-like dressing rooms and two expansive en-suite marble bathrooms.
—Cynthia Rosenfeld Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens Abigail Glasgow Tilly MacAlister-Smith Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2023
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Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025
The result is a visual feast featuring velum paneling, burled wood doors with brass inlay, jewel-like dressing rooms and two expansive en-suite marble bathrooms.
—Cynthia Rosenfeld Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens Abigail Glasgow Tilly MacAlister-Smith Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Velum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velum. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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