auricular

adjective

au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈri-kyə-lər 

1

: told privately

an auricular confession

2

: understood or recognized by the sense of hearing

3

: of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing

auricular therapy

4

: of or relating to an auricle

auricular tachycardia

Examples of auricular in a Sentence

had auricular proof that the sun was up, as the birds began chirping

Recent Examples on the Web

Although evidence is mixed, researchers found stimulating points in the outer ear—auricular acupuncture—to help with quitting smoking when combined with other methods.13 Mindfulness: Another method that may help people quit tobacco is mindfulness. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 26 Sep. 2024

Some people can control their auricular muscles to move the ear slightly but to a noticeable extent, an ability that seems to have a genetic basis. —C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2017

A 2015 study in the journal Psychophysiology reviewed past research on the auricular nerves and found indications that the system could have been adapted to respond to sounds. —C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

auricular

adjective

au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈrik-yə-lər 

1

: of or relating to the ear or the sense of hearing

2

: told privately

auricular confession

3

: learned or recognized through the sense of hearing

4

: of or relating to an auricle

Medical Definition

auricular

adjective

au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈrik-yə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing

2

: understood or recognized by the sense of hearing

3

: of or relating to an auricle or auricular appendage

auricular fibrillation