cervix

noun

cer·​vix ˈsər-viks 

plural cervices ˈsər-və-ˌsēz 

(ˌ)sər-ˈvī-(ˌ)sēz

or cervixes

1

: neck

especially : the back part of the neck

2

: a constricted portion of an organ or part

especially : the narrow outer end of the uterus

Examples of cervix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea: Mucinex thins mucus in the cervix, sperm travels through more easily to fertilize the egg. —Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024

There are about 200,000 cases of pre-cervical cancer in the U.S. a year, meaning that one in six women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with precancerous material in their cervix at some point in their life, Pierce said. —Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

Dilation and curettage is a surgical procedure where the cervix is dilated and an instrument called a curette is used to suction or scrape the uterine lining, removing the baby from inside the uterus. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Your healthcare provider may also offer a local anesthetic to numb the area around your cervix to make the process more comfortable. Factors Affecting IUD Insertion Pain How painful IUD insertion is varies from person to person. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin cervic-, cervix

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

cervix

noun

cer·​vix ˈsər-viks 

plural cervices ˈsər-və-ˌsēz  or cervixes

: the narrow outer end of the uterus that opens into the cavity of the vagina

Medical Definition

cervix

noun

cer·​vix ˈsər-viks 

plural cervices -və-ˌsēz, ˌsər-ˈvī-(ˌ)sēz  or cervixes

1

: neck sense 1a

especially : the back part of the neck

2

: a constricted portion of an organ or part: as

a

: the narrow lower or outer end of the uterus

b

: the constricted cementoenamel junction on a tooth