vulva

play

noun vul·va \ˈvəl-və\

Definition of vulva

plural

vulvae

play \ˈvəl-ˌvē, -ˌvī\

: the external parts of the female genital organs

vulval

play \ˈvəl-vəl\ or

vulvar

play \ˈvəl-vər, -ˌvär\ adjective

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Recent Examples of vulva from the Web

Chances are a bump on your labia (the lips) or vulva (the skin around them) is just a pimple or an ingrown hair.

— amber madison, Seventeen, "6 Weird Things About Your Vagina That are Totally Normal", 30 May 2017
Linda Sagan's initial drawing including a line depicting a woman's vulva, which was erased by NASA higher-ups (the woman has no genitalia).

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "You Can Buy a Replica of Carl Sagan's Famous Pioneer Plaque", 23 May 2017
The installation suggested both a vulva and a ship’s hull.

— hilarie m. sheets, New York Times, "At Socrates Sculpture Park, Slyly Butting Expectations", 28 Apr. 2017
New moms should place the frozen condom on the perineal area (the area between the anus and vulva) with a washcloth between the skin and condom to prevent freezer burn.

— jessica mattern, Woman's Day, "Doctors Say This Creative Way to Soothe Post-Childbirth Pains Is Brilliant", 13 Apr. 2017
Megan Gannon at Live Science reports that Aurignacian stone carvings found around the region include images of what appear to be vulvas, horses, cats and rings.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Dig This: Researchers Found a 38,000-Year-Old Engraving in France", 31 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vulva'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vulva

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin volva, vulva womb, female genitals; akin to Sanskrit ulva womb and perhaps to Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

VULVA Defined for English Language Learners

vulva

play

noun

Definition of vulva for English Language Learners

: the parts of the female sexual organs that are on the outside of the body

Medical Dictionary

vulva

play

noun vul·va \ˈvəl-və\

Medical Definition of vulva

plural

vulvae

\-ˌvē, -ˌvī\play play

: the external parts of the female genital organs comprising the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, bulb of the vestibule, and Bartholin's glands