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 Part of a transurethral resection involves inserting a scope — a tube with a camera at the end — through the urethra. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2024 Renal System Complications The renal system—also known as the urinary system—consists of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2024 With radical prostatectomy, the risks also include UTI, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, narrowing of the urethra or bladder neck, or formation of cysts containing lymph, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 The scope could detect cancer in nearby areas, such as the bladder or the urethra, said Dr. Christian Pavlovich, a professor of urology and oncology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2024 The introduction of the catheter to the body, which acts as a scaffold for healing as the bladder and urethra are reconnected, poses the risk of bacteria growing that can create infection. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 The urethra is the tube that carries urine outside of your body. Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 4 Jan. 2024 Urinary osmolality measures how much chloride, potassium, sodium, and urea are in your urine. Urodynamics: This is a set of tests examining how well your bladder and urethra work. Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Nov. 2023 Urine adheres to the bladder wall rather than collecting at the base, where the growing pressure of liquid above the urethra usually alerts us when the organ is two-thirds full. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

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

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 Mar. 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

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