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
Equipped with a ventral air intake, the missile is believed to sustain powered hypersonic flight at Mach 10 or higher, giving it longer range and greater flexibility than boost-glide systems. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 Blazars are a ventral hub of power and light within these galaxies that aren’t powered by stars. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
The dorsal is the back and the ventral is in the front. Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 This mental effort pays off: As the hippocampus activates, so too does the ventral striatum, another of the brain’s dopaminergic reward centers. Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2020 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ventral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventral. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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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