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

An enlarged prostate compresses the bladder and urethra, causing incomplete emptying, urgency, and more frequent bathroom visits, particularly at night. —Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025

Most involve the lower urinary tract, composed of the bladder and urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). —Cordelia Nwankwo, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2025

For each possible step of the operation — for example, lymph node removal, tying off veins, or cutting through the urethra — the researchers pre-wrote descriptive text. —Nancy Lapid, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Surgery revealed a non-cancerous tumor wrapped around her urethra. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

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