gullet

noun

gul·​let ˈgə-lət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
1
: esophagus
broadly : throat
2
: an invagination of the protoplasm in various protozoans (such as a paramecium) that sometimes functions in the intake of food
3
: the space between the tips of adjacent saw teeth

Examples of gullet 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.
The majestic bird made Central Park an impromptu restaurant recently, settling in a grassy area to dine on its latest catch, which happened to be the rat stuffed in its gullet. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024 Eventually, a freaky, spider-like facehugger will hatch from an egg and, true to its name, latch onto a host’s face and force an embryo down their unwilling gullets. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024 Your family of otters may already be half-digested in a crocodile’s gullet, but what about writing a horror movie for kids? Remy Blumenfeld, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2024 After days of agony, success is a room of people glancing at Lizzy’s work while stuffing their gullets with cheese. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gullet 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English golet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of gule throat, from Latin gula — more at glutton

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gullet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near gullet

Cite this Entry

“Gullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gullet. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gullet

noun
gul·​let ˈgəl-ət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
1
a
: the tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach : esophagus
2
: a tubular structure of various protozoans (as a paramecium) that is used especially to take in food

Medical Definition

gullet

noun
gul·​let ˈgəl-ət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
1
: esophagus
broadly : throat
2
: an invagination of the protoplasm in various protozoans (as a paramecium) that sometimes functions in the intake of food
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