urethra

noun

ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae yu̇-ˈrē-(ˌ)thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen
urethral adjective

Examples of urethra 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.
Stage 4 is when the stone passes from the bladder into the urethra, the tube through which urine exits the body. Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 Freshwater worm eggs enter human hosts through the skin and circulate throughout the body, damaging multiple organs, including the liver, intestine, bladder, and urethra. Trirupa Chakraborty, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 There may also be pain with urination and minor bleeding as the stone scrapes against the walls of the urethra. Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 This ensures the suppository has gone into the urethra. Ashley Wong, Health, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for urethra 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urethra was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near urethra

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

urethra

noun
ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae -thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: a canal that in most mammals carries off urine from the bladder and in the male serves as a passage for the release of semen from the body
urethral adjective

Medical Definition

urethra

noun
ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae -(ˌ)thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen
urethral adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on urethra

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!