: the posterior opening of the digestive tract

Examples of anus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When one of the double jelly’s mouths consumed fluorescent-colored brine shrimp, both anuses eventually ejected waste—but not at the same time. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 The odd-looking creature had two heads, two mouths and two anuses. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 Everything in their system has a sick twist: the infamous mop rapes, sticking things up people’s anuses, and so on. Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024 Celebrating the unusual, scientists who discovered mammals can breathe through their anuses were among the winners. Daniel Wine, CNN, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anus 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin ānus "ring, anus," perhaps going back to an Indo-European base *h1eh2n-o-, whence also, with different suffixation, Old Irish áinne "ring," Armenian anur, genitive-dative anroy "ring, necklace, collar"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near anus

Cite this Entry

“Anus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anus. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

anus

noun
: the lower or posterior opening of the alimentary canal

Medical Definition

anus

noun
plural anuses or ani ˈā-(ˌ)nī How to pronounce anus (audio)
: the posterior opening of the digestive tract

More from Merriam-Webster on anus

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