fenestration
noun
fen·es·tra·tion
ˌfe-nə-ˈstrā-shən 
1
: the arrangement, proportioning, and design of windows and doors in a building
2
: an opening in a surface (such as a wall or membrane)
3
: the operation of cutting an opening in the bony labyrinth between the inner ear and tympanum to replace natural fenestrae that are not functional
Examples of fenestration in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar to the much-smaller Monstera adansonii, the 'Esqueleto' variety has super-sized leaves with huge fenestrations (or holes) in the leaves.
—
Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
The Thomas house sits close to the street and, with minimal fenestration besides a huge bank of Mondrian-style frosted windows alongside the front door, is oriented to take advantage of its high mountainside perch.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
The revolving doors and complex fenestration made entering the museum crowded and confusing.
—Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2024
Mongolian gerbils who receive semicircular canal fenestration in their left inner ears offer a successful animal model for superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
—Michael W. Clune, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
Christine Marvin is Chief Marketing + Experience Officer at Marvin, a leading manufacturer of premium fenestration solutions.
—Christine Marvin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
The fenestration and zigzagging rhythms of dark exposed timbers on a white façade give each house here a personality.
—Richard B. Woodward, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022
This process, called fenestration, is more precise than using a saw.
—Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2010
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Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
The Thomas house sits close to the street and, with minimal fenestration besides a huge bank of Mondrian-style frosted windows alongside the front door, is oriented to take advantage of its high mountainside perch.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
The revolving doors and complex fenestration made entering the museum crowded and confusing.
—Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2024
Mongolian gerbils who receive semicircular canal fenestration in their left inner ears offer a successful animal model for superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
—Michael W. Clune, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
Christine Marvin is Chief Marketing + Experience Officer at Marvin, a leading manufacturer of premium fenestration solutions.
—Christine Marvin, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
The fenestration and zigzagging rhythms of dark exposed timbers on a white façade give each house here a personality.
—Richard B. Woodward, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022
This process, called fenestration, is more precise than using a saw.
—Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2010
Cite this Entry
“Fenestration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fenestration. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fenestration
noun
fen·es·tra·tion
ˌfen-ə-ˈstrā-shən
1
a
: a natural or surgically created opening in a surface
b
: the presence of such openings
2
: a surgical procedure that involves cutting an opening in the bony labyrinth between the inner ear and tympanum to replace natural fenestrae that are not functional (as in otosclerosis)
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