orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs 

ˈär-

: an opening (such as a vent, mouth, or hole) through which something may pass

an anatomical orifice

the nozzle orifice

the cone built up from the cinders around the eruption orifice

—R. H. Mohlenbrock

orificial

ˌȯr-ə-ˈfi-shəl 

ˌär-

adjective

Synonyms

• aperture
• hole
• opening
• perforation

Examples of orifice in a Sentence

the mouth is a bodily orifice

Recent Examples on the Web

This fleshy conglomerate feels vaguely seductive despite having only navels for orifices, only knee-like lumps for appendages. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Cory, who at this point has smoke billowing out of every orifice, flips out on Josh, who’s just betrayed him for the second time. —Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

The white exterior peered at me with flat orifices obscured through the mist, barely distinguishable from the dark sky behind it, as though all the world beyond the dome was cut from the same slab, only slightly effaced. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024

Many older jugs take on the crude appearance of early folk art, with holes in characters that allow liquids to stream out of every conceivable orifice. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin orificium, from Latin or-, os mouth + facere to make, do — more at oral, do

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs 

ˈär-

: an opening (as a mouth or hole) through which something may pass

Medical Definition

orifice

noun

or·​i·​fice ˈȯr-ə-fəs, ˈär- 

: an opening through which something may pass

orificial

ˌȯr-ə-ˈfish-əl, ˌär- 

adjective