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trachea

Syllabification: (tra·che·a)
Pronunciation: /ˈtrākēə/

Definition of trachea

noun (plural tracheae /-kēˌē/ or tracheas)

Anatomy
  • a large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and conveying air to and from the lungs; the windpipe.
  • Entomology each of a number of fine chitinous tubes in the body of an insect, conveying air directly to the tissues.
  • Botany any duct or vessel in a plant, providing support and conveying water and salts.

Derivatives

tracheal

adjective

tracheate

Pronunciation: /-it, -ˌāt/

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from medieval Latin, from late Latin trachia, from Greek trakheia (artēria) 'rough (artery)', from trakhus 'rough'

trachea in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of trachea in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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