eardrum

[ eer-druhm ]
/ ˈɪərˌdrʌm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR eardrum ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Anatomy, Zoology.

a membrane in the ear canal between the external ear and the middle ear; tympanic membrane.

Origin of eardrum

First recorded in 1635–45; ear1 + drum1

Words nearby eardrum

earbash, earbob, earbud, eardrop, eardrops, eardrum, eared, eared seal, earflap, earful, earhart

Words related to eardrum

tympanum

Example sentences from the Web for eardrum

British Dictionary definitions for eardrum

eardrum
/ (ˈɪəˌdrʌm) /

noun

the nontechnical name for tympanic membrane

Medical definitions for eardrum

eardrum
[ îr′drŭm′ ]

n.

The thin, semitransparent, oval-shaped membrane that separates the middle ear from the external ear. drum drumhead drum membrane myringa myrinx tympanic membrane tympanum

Scientific definitions for eardrum

eardrum
[ îr′drŭm′ ]

The thin, oval-shaped membrane that separates the middle ear from the outer ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, which are then transmitted to the ossicles of the middle ear. Also called tympanic membrane

Cultural definitions for eardrum

eardrum

The membrane that divides the outer ear from the middle ear. The vibrations of this membrane in response to sound waves lead to the sensation of hearing. Also called the tympanic membrane.