vocal cords

plural noun

: either of two pairs of folds of mucous membranes that project into the cavity of the larynx and have free edges extending dorsoventrally toward the middle line

Examples of vocal cords in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s also the general unpredictability of putting enormous muscle pressure on the vocal cords, which are just thumbnail-size folds of tissue inside the larynx. Marc Hogan, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 In the larynxes of most mammals, the vocal cords might get in the way of a massive flow of air. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 In the midst of all of this, Likins also had to have surgery on her spinal column and her vocal cords have suffered. USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 Still, like any muscle, vocal cords weaken with age. Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024 Dion said the condition causes spasms, makes walking difficult, and creates issues with her vocal cords. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 After waking up in the hospital with tubes in her throat to help her breathe, Adams had to learn how to speak again because of the strain on her vocal cords. Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2024 So, a note to anyone attending the last six weeks of the Eras Tour late next year, which will have Abrams opening all dates, presumably with a setlist updated with material from a scream-worthy new album: Start gilding those vocal cords now. Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Dec. 2023 Celine revealed in December 2022 that she’d been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare condition marked by uncontrolled and severe spasms that sometimes caused her difficulties walking and using her vocal cords appropriately. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocal cords was in 1757

Dictionary Entries Near vocal cords

Cite this Entry

“Vocal cords.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal%20cords. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocal cords

noun plural
: either of two pairs of elastic folds of tissue in the larynx of which the lower pair produce the voice when air exhaled from the lungs causes them to vibrate

More from Merriam-Webster on vocal cords

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!