outer ear

noun

: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone

Examples of outer ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More than a quarter-century after scientists first grew a humanlike ear on the back of a mouse, surgeons in San Antonio have successfully used a 3D printer to reconstruct an outer ear made of living cells for a young woman with a congenital ear deformity—no creepy-looking mice required. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 June 2022

The most severe injury she’s seen from a bug was an outer ear infection. —Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023

The more microorganisms and moisture in your ear, the greater the risk for an infection, research suggests, including otitis media (an infection in the middle ear behind the eardrum) or otitis externa (an infection in the outer ear canal). —Julia Ries, SELF, 27 July 2023

The outer ear pads have been redesigned and now combine memory foam with a top layer of seamless leather. —Chris Welch, The Verge, 19 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outer ear

noun

: the outer visible part of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the eardrum by way of a canal through the temporal bone

Medical Definition

outer ear

noun

out·​er ear ˈau̇t-ər- 

: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone