ventral

1 of 2

adjective

ven·​tral ˈven-trəl How to pronounce ventral (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to the belly : abdominal
b
: being or located near or on the anterior or lower surface of an animal opposite the back
2
: being or located on the lower surface of a dorsiventral plant structure
ventrally adverb

ventral

2 of 2

noun

: a ventral part (such as a scale or fin)

Examples of ventral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The region—called the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)—may produce a fundamental model of oneself and place it in mental time. Robert Martone, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2021 There are two types of ventral hernias: umbilical and incisional. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
Ventral, because the V in ventral is an arrow pointing down. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2012 The dorsal is the back and the ventral is in the front. Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 See all Example Sentences for ventral 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Late Latin ventrālis, from Latin ventr-, venter "belly, abdomen" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at venter

First Known Use

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ventral was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near ventral

Cite this Entry

“Ventral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventral. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ventral

adjective
ven·​tral
ˈven-trəl
1
: of or relating to the belly : abdominal
2
: being or located on or near the surface of the body that in human beings is the front but in most other animals is the lower surface
a fish's ventral fins
ventrally
-trə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

ventral

adjective
ven·​tral ˈven-trəl How to pronounce ventral (audio)
1
: of or relating to the belly : abdominal
2
a
: being or located near, on, or toward the lower surface of an animal (as a quadruped) opposite the back or dorsal surface
b
: being or located near, on, or toward the front or anterior part of the human body

More from Merriam-Webster on ventral

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