labium

noun

la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm 

plural labia ˈlā-bē-ə 

1

: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva compare labia majora, labia minora

2

: the lower lip of a labiate corolla

3

a

: a lower mouthpart of an insect that is formed by the second pair of maxillae united in the middle line

b

: a liplike part of various invertebrates

Examples of labium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The change in shape is also due to the surge in blood — the labia majora may retract, and their retraction can cause the labia minora to appear larger or even show for the first time. — Kristi Kellogg, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2019

And, as many pointed out, there is nothing wrong with or unnatural about having dark labia. — refinery29.com, 7 May 2018

The outer labia can also vary in terms of being barely there or a few inches long, and the inner labia (which are reminiscent of butterfly wings) might be hidden or hang past the outer lips. — Zoe Ruderman, Cosmopolitan, 19 June 2017

The labium pushes up like a sleeve when the female mosquito plunges her stylets in (male mosquitoes don't bite—only the females do). — Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lip — more at lip

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

labium

noun

la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm 

plural labia -bē-ə 

1

: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva

2

: the lower mouthpart of an insect

Medical Definition

labium

noun

la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm 

plural labia -ə 

1

: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva compare labia majora, labia minora

2

: a lower mouthpart of an insect that is formed by the second pair of maxillae united in the midline