laryngeal

1 of 2

adjective

la·​ryn·​geal lə-ˈrin-jəl How to pronounce laryngeal (audio)
 also  -jē-əl;
ˌler-ən-ˈjē-əl How to pronounce laryngeal (audio)
ˌla-rən-
1
: of, relating to, or used on the larynx
a laryngeal obstruction
2
: produced by or with constriction of the larynx
laryngeal articulation of sounds

laryngeal

2 of 2

noun

1
: an anatomical part (such as a nerve or artery) that supplies or is associated with the larynx
2
a
: a laryngeal sound
b
: any of a set of several conjectured phonemes reconstructed for Proto-Indo-European chiefly on indirect evidence

Examples of laryngeal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
They’ve been implicated in neck instability, degenerative arthritis in dogs and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, which can affect voice and swallowing ability. Dawn Kovell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 Those sensors detect the subtle vibrations that are transmitted to the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (in the neck) from other anatomical locations including the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Asbestos can cause several types of cancer, including mesothelioma and lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancer. Rob Wile, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2023 Barger was a three-pack-a-day smoker until laryngitic laryngeal cancer forced surgeons to remove his vocal cords in the early 1980s. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for laryngeal

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of laryngeal was in 1795

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Cite this Entry

“Laryngeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laryngeal. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

laryngeal

1 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, affecting, or used on the larynx
laryngeally adverb

laryngeal

2 of 2 noun
: an anatomical part (as a nerve or artery) that supplies or is associated with the larynx
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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