labium

noun

la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm How to pronounce labium (audio)
plural labia ˈlā-bē-ə How to pronounce labium (audio)
1
: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva compare labia majora, labia minora
2
: the lower lip of a labiate corolla
3
a
: a lower mouthpart of an insect that is formed by the second pair of maxillae united in the middle line
b
: a liplike part of various invertebrates

Examples of labium 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.
These lie alongside each other to form the fascicle, or syntrophium, encased in the thickened outside cover, the labium. Popular Science, 20 Oct. 2020 The labium pushes up like a sleeve when the female mosquito plunges her stylets in (male mosquitoes don't bite—only the females do). Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2016 The change in shape is also due to the surge in blood — the labia majora may retract, and their retraction can cause the labia minora to appear larger or even show for the first time. Kristi Kellogg, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2019 The outer labia can also vary in terms of being barely there or a few inches long, and the inner labia (which are reminiscent of butterfly wings) might be hidden or hang past the outer lips. Zoe Ruderman, Cosmopolitan, 19 June 2017 And, as many pointed out, there is nothing wrong with or unnatural about having dark labia. refinery29.com, 7 May 2018 Most women's labia aren't perfectly symmetrical — one side is usually bigger than the other. Zoe Ruderman, Cosmopolitan, 19 June 2017 Now, doctors are warning anyone with a vagina to steer clear of a product that some are claiming reduces vaginal odor (or at least steer clear of applying it on their labia or in their vaginas). Lily Herman, Allure, 1 Nov. 2017 The vulva, the video states using diagrams (and cute cats), includes the outer labia, inner labia, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. Lily Herman, Allure, 5 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, lip — more at lip

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of labium was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near labium

Cite this Entry

“Labium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labium. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

labium

noun
la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm How to pronounce labium (audio)
plural labia -bē-ə How to pronounce labium (audio)
1
: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva
2
: the lower mouthpart of an insect

Medical Definition

labium

noun
la·​bi·​um ˈlā-bē-əm How to pronounce labium (audio)
plural labia -ə How to pronounce labium (audio)
1
: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva compare labia majora, labia minora
2
: a lower mouthpart of an insect that is formed by the second pair of maxillae united in the midline

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