bursa

noun

bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas ˈbər-səz How to pronounce bursa (audio) or bursae ˈbər-ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio) -ˌsī How to pronounce bursa (audio)
: a bodily pouch or sac: such as
a
: a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone
bursal adjective

Examples of bursa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Nacua would miss a good amount of training camp due to the bursa sack, and would eventually return on Aug. 26. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 McVay said a few days later that a bursa sac in Nacua’s knee had burst. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024 Potential Causes of Elbow Joint Pain Elbow joint pain can have various causes, including injury to muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, or bursae. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 12 July 2024 If traumatized, the bursa can fill with fluid, which can limit motion and cause pain. Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024 The bursa is one indication that this is a male worm. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023 Bursitis Bursitis causes pain in the front of your knee if a bursa becomes irritated and swollen. Yuliya Klochan, Health, 12 Aug. 2023 The procedure repaired a torn labrum, removed two bone spurs and cleaned up his bursa and rotator cuff tendon. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb. 2023 This sperm-hungry organ is called the bursa copulatrix. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2015

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, bag, purse — more at purse

First Known Use

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bursa was in 1734

Dictionary Entries Near bursa

Cite this Entry

“Bursa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bursa. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bursa

noun
bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas or bursae -ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio)
-ˌsī
: a bodily pouch
especially : a small fluid-containing pouch between a tendon and a bone

Medical Definition

bursa

noun
bur·​sa ˈbər-sə How to pronounce bursa (audio)
plural bursas -səz How to pronounce bursa (audio) or bursae -ˌsē How to pronounce bursa (audio) -ˌsī How to pronounce bursa (audio)
: a bodily pouch or sac: as
a
: a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone
bursal adjective

Geographical Definition

Bursa

geographical name

Bur·​sa bu̇r-ˈsä How to pronounce Bursa (audio)
ˈbər-sə
variants or formerly Brusa
brü-ˈsä How to pronounce Bursa (audio)
ˈbrü-sə
city near the Sea of Marmara in northwestern Turkey population 834,576

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