air passage

noun

plural air passages
: a channel or part through which air passes
It takes an extra shot of fuel right into the carburetor air passage to give an engine a burst of power when the accelerator pedal is depressed quickly.Popular Science
specifically : an anatomical part (such as the pharynx and bronchial tubes) involved in respiration
Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the air passages leading to the lungs … Jane E. Brody
While asthma was once defined purely as intermittent, reversible spasms of the air passages in the lungs, its underlying cause is now known to be chronic inflammation of those airways … Judy Packer-Tursman

Examples of air passage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Stalls was the anesthesiologist for the bronchoscopy, a procedure to look inside the lungs and air passages. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 May 2024 Snoring becomes more common with age because upper airway muscles lose tone, weight gain impairs air passage and alcohol and medications may exacerbate the issue. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Dec. 2023 Drink plenty of fluids (water, clear broth, tea, etc) to help prevent dehydration and loosen mucus from nasal and air passages. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023 In other words, if breathability and cooling capabilities are your primary concern, a high thread count doesn't allow for effective air passage. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 27 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of air passage was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near air passage

Cite this Entry

“Air passage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20passage. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

air passage

noun
: a channel or part through which air passes
specifically : an anatomical part (such as the pharynx and bronchial tubes) involved in respiration
Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the air passages leading to the lungs … Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
While asthma was once defined purely as intermittent, reversible spasms of the air passages in the lungs, its underlying cause is now known to be chronic inflammation of those airways … Judy Packer-Tursman, The Washington Post
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