glottis

noun

glot·​tis ˈglä-təs How to pronounce glottis (audio)
plural glottises or glottides ˈglä-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce glottis (audio)
: the elongated space between the vocal cords
also : the structures that surround this space compare epiglottis

Examples of glottis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Basically, the glottis opens and closes, building up and releasing pressure, resulting in purrs. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023 Because at the same time, the change in pressure causes the opening between your vocal cords, called the glottis, to snap shut. Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2023 There is typically a sound made, as the air is expelled through the (initially closed) glottis; however, most people can override this reflex and sneeze without making any noise from the vocal cords. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Oct. 2022 Your glottis, which is the space between your vocal cords, then closes, preventing any further air from entering. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 July 2022 The bulge seen during these big, leisurely yawns, is called glottis exposure. Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2021 These big, open passages inside the mouth cavity, namely the glottis and the Eustachian tubes, allow sound to pass through the animal and reach the eardrums from the inside as well as the more traditional external route. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2021 But when the glottis is closed, the air can’t move out, so tremendous pressure builds up in the air passages. Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Finally, the glottis swings open and the air rushes out. Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glottis.' 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

borrowed from Greek glōttid-, glōttís "upper end of the trachea at the root of the tongue," from glôtta, Attic variant of glôssa "tongue" + -id-, -is, noun suffix — more at gloss entry 3

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glottis was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near glottis

Cite this Entry

“Glottis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glottis. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

glottis

noun
glot·​tis ˈglät-əs How to pronounce glottis (audio)
plural glottises or glottides ˈglät-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce glottis (audio)
: the long opening between the vocal cords in the larynx
glottal
ˈglät-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

glottis

noun
glot·​tis ˈglät-əs How to pronounce glottis (audio)
plural glottises or glottides -ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce glottis (audio)
: the space between one of the true vocal cords and the arytenoid cartilage on one side of the larynx and those of the other side
also : the structures that surround this space compare epiglottis

More from Merriam-Webster on glottis

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