1
a
: the plain semidome of an apse
b
: apse
2
: something shaped like a shell
especially : the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
variants or less commonly concho
: an ornamental disk (as on clothing or tack) of American Indian origin featuring a shell or flower design

Examples of concha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Dulce Dreams Cafe sells a dozen mini conchas for $15. Laura Barrero, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian & Latin; Italian conca semidome, apse, from Late Latin concha, from Latin, shell

Noun (2)

American Spanish concha, from Spanish, shell, from Late Latin conchula, diminutive of Latin concha

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of concha was circa 1639

Dictionary Entries Near concha

Cite this Entry

“Concha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concha. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

concha

noun
con·​cha
ˈkäŋ-kə also ˈkȯŋ-
1
: the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
2

More from Merriam-Webster on concha

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