nostril

noun

nos·​tril ˈnä-strəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
1
: either of the external nares
broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

Examples of nostril in a Sentence

My left nostril is stuffed up. She left in a rage, her nostrils flaring.
Recent Examples on the Web And whenever the wind kicked up, the smell of dust and dirt filled the nostrils. Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024 Their sense of smell is phenomenal, owing to large olfactory organs and nostrils. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024 This bacteria is commonly carried in the nostrils, between the legs, in the armpits, and in the cleft between the buttocks. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024 In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nostril 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nostril.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nosethirl, from Old English nosthyrl, from nosu nose + thyrel hole; akin to Old English thurh through

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nostril was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nostril

Cite this Entry

“Nostril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostril. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

nostril

noun
nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes
also : either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose
Etymology

Old English nosthyrl "nostril," literally "nose hole," from nosu "nose" and thyrel "hole" — related to thrill see Word History at thrill

Medical Definition

nostril

noun
nos·​tril ˈnäs-trəl How to pronounce nostril (audio)
1
: either of the external nares
broadly : either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

More from Merriam-Webster on nostril

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