urethra

noun

ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə 

plural urethras or urethrae yu̇-ˈrē-(ˌ)thrē 

: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen

urethral

yu̇-ˈrē-thrəl 

adjective

Examples of urethra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Freshwater worm eggs enter human hosts through the skin and circulate throughout the body, damaging multiple organs, including the liver, intestine, bladder, and urethra. —Trirupa Chakraborty, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

There may also be pain with urination and minor bleeding as the stone scrapes against the walls of the urethra. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

This ensures the suppository has gone into the urethra. —Ashley Wong, Health, 17 Oct. 2024

The suppository is inserted into the urethra through an applicator. —Ashley Wong, Health, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

urethra

noun

ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə 

plural urethras or urethrae -thrē 

: a canal that in most mammals carries off urine from the bladder and in the male serves as a passage for the release of semen from the body

urethral

-thrəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

urethra

noun

ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə 

plural urethras or urethrae -(ˌ)thrē 

: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen

urethral

-thrəl 

adjective