nasal

1 of 2

noun

na·​sal ˈnā-zəl How to pronounce nasal (audio)
1
: the nosepiece of a helmet
2
: a nasal part
3
: a nasal consonant

nasal

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to the nose
2
a
: uttered with the soft palate lowered and with passage of air through the nose (as with \m\, \n\, \ŋ\, \ōⁿ\, or \aⁿ\)
b
: characterized by resonance produced through the nose
3
of a musical tone : sharp, penetrating
nasality noun
nasally
ˈnā-zə-lē How to pronounce nasal (audio)
ˈnāz-lē
adverb

Examples of nasal in a Sentence

Adjective a bottle of nasal spray the nasal consonants and the nasal vowels in French Her voice is harsh and nasal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This nasal spray delivers saline evenly to get rid of excess mucus, flush out allergens, and moisturize your nasal passages.16 6. Amanda Gardner, Health, 31 Dec. 2023 The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve ARS Pharmaceuticals’ epinephrine nasal spray and asked the company to submit more data proving the medication was safe and effective, according to the company. Alyssa Lukpat, WSJ, 20 Sep. 2023 The epinephrine nasal spray would have been the first needle-free alternative to epinephrine autoinjectors like EpiPens. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2023 Over-the-counter nasal spray The version of naloxone being considered for over-the-counter use is a single 4 milligram dose, given as nasal spray. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 15 Feb. 2023 His clinical research group got Narcan nasal spray approved, and helped get a diazepam nasal spray approved for the treatment of epilepsy. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 20 Sep. 2023 The training comes off the heels of the Food and Drug Administration approving the first over-the-counter opioid reversal drug, known as naloxone and often marketed as NARCAN, in nasal spray form in March. Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2023 Consider using a steroid nasal spray or lozenges instead. Julia Ries, SELF, 19 Oct. 2023 Its magenta-and-white Narcan nasal spray device has become a popular symbol used in public service ads and education campaigns. Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Adjective
The nasal mist delivers a drug and steroid-free instant congestion relief. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024 Surgeons inserted nasal trumpets into her nostrils to open her airway to help her breathe. USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024 Neti pots are commonly used to flush the nasal passages, helping to alleviate allergy symptoms or clear mucus during a sinus infection. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 The boy was born with CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects several parts of a child's body, including the eyes, nerves, heart, nasal passages, genitals and ears, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Here's what experts think Neti pots, nasal rinsing linked to another dangerous amoeba. Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Studies have showed that people are easily able to administer the life-saving drug in its nasal spray form without the need for any medical expertise and minimal training. Jen Christensen, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Also suggested are nasal corticosteroids like Nasacort, Flonase and Zicam. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Symptoms of bovine tuberculosis in deer Respiratory illness, coughing, nasal discharge, wheezing, fatigue, trouble breathing, emaciation, lethargy, and lesions in chest cavity and/or on lymph nodes. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 29 Feb. 2024

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

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from nes nose, from Latin nasus — more at nose

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near nasal

Cite this Entry

“Nasal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nasal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nasal

1 of 2 noun
na·​sal ˈnā-zəl How to pronounce nasal (audio)
: a nasal consonant

nasal

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to the nose
2
a
: uttered with passage of air through the nose
the nasal consonants \m\, \n\, and \ŋ\
the nasal vowels in French
b
: marked by resonance produced through the nose
speaking in a nasal tone
nasality noun
nasally adverb

Medical Definition

nasal

1 of 2 noun
na·​sal ˈnā-zəl How to pronounce nasal (audio)
: a nasal part (as a bone)

nasal

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the nose
nasal inflammation
nasally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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