larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈler-iŋ(k)s How to pronounce larynx (audio)
ˈla-riŋ(k)s
plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz How to pronounce larynx (audio) or larynxes
: the modified upper part of the trachea of air-breathing vertebrates that in humans, most other mammals, and some amphibians and reptiles contains the vocal cords

Examples of larynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Back in January, former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to the risk of developing seven different types of cancer, including those of the breast, colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and voice box (larynx). Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025 The singers then let their lungs deflate, and the altered air made its way back up through their bronchi, into their tracheas and through their larynxes. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Cartilage transplants are central to many procedures, being used to fix cleft palates, correct missing or misshapen ears, or to repair damage to someone’s larynx caused by cancer. Max G. Levy, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2025 In particular, the advisory notes that alcohol can increase the risk of throat, liver, esophageal, mouth, larynx (voice box), colon and rectal cancers. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for larynx

Word History

Etymology

New Latin laryng-, larynx, from Greek

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of larynx was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Larynx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larynx. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

larynx

noun
lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s How to pronounce larynx (audio)
plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz How to pronounce larynx (audio) or larynxes
: the upper part of the trachea that in human beings and most mammals contains the vocal cords

called also voice box

Medical Definition

larynx

noun
lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s How to pronounce larynx (audio)
plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz How to pronounce larynx (audio) or larynxes
: the modified upper part of the respiratory passage of air-breathing vertebrates that is bounded above by the glottis, is continuous below with the trachea, has a complex cartilaginous or bony skeleton capable of limited motion through the action of associated muscles, and in humans, most other mammals, and a few lower forms has a set of elastic vocal cords that play a major role in sound production and speech

called also voice box

More from Merriam-Webster on larynx

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