ureter

noun

ure·ter ˈyu̇r-ə-tər

yu̇-ˈrē-tər

: either of the paired ducts that carry away the urine from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca

ureteral

yu̇-ˈrē-tə-rəl

adjective

or less commonly ureteric

ˌyu̇r-ə-ˈter-ik

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At the same time, the doctor found a massive kidney stone, which was the result of the endometriosis blocking my ureter, so a stent had to be put in. —

Essence, 14 Mar. 2019 The transplant included the attachments to the renal arteries and veins as well as the ureter, which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. —

Alex Knapp, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2022 Well, typically the bacteria make its way into the kidneys through the ureters, which is the tube that connects the bladder to the kidneys. —

Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Dec. 2019 Rarely, endometriosis can invade other organs, such as the bowel, bladder or ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder), and potentially cause other serious health problems. —

Katherine Hobson, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020 Your urine goes through tubes called ureters to the bladder. —

Kimberly Truong, SELF, 16 Mar. 2019 Some stones remain small, and don't cause any pain, while others can travel into the ureter, which connects the kidney and the bladder. —

Jessica Taylor Price, Teen Vogue, 28 Oct. 2018 Symptoms can vary depending on the area; an infection in your urethra/ureters can cause burning with urination accompanied by abnormal discharge and cloudy pee. —

Lindsey Lanquist, SELF, 23 Feb. 2018 Kidney stones are rock-hard mineral and salt deposits that form inside your kidneys and that may get stuck in the ureter and cause a blockage. —

Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, 22 Feb. 2018 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ourētēr, from ourein to urinate — more at urine

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ureter was in 1543

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ureter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ureter. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

ureter

noun

ure·ter ˈyu̇r-ət-ər

: a tube that carries urine from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca

Medical Definition

ureter

noun

ure·ter ˈyu̇r-ət-ər

yu̇-ˈrēt-ər

: either of the paired ducts that carry away urine from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca and that in humans are slender membranous epithelium-lined flat tubes about sixteen inches (41 centimeters) long which open above into the pelvis of a kidney and below into the back part of the same side of the bladder at a very oblique angle