stomata

[ stoh-muh-tuh, stom-uh-, stoh-mah-tuh ]
/ ˈstoʊ mə tə, ˈstɒm ə-, stoʊˈmɑ tə /

noun

a plural of stoma.

Words nearby stomata

stomachic, stomachy, stomack, stomal ulcer, stomat-, stomata, stomatal, stomatalgia, stomate, stomatic, stomatitis

Definition for stomata (2 of 2)

stoma
[ stoh-muh ]
/ ˈstoʊ mə /

noun, plural sto·ma·ta [stoh-muh-tuh, stom-uh-, stoh-mah-tuh] /ˈstoʊ mə tə, ˈstɒm ə-, stoʊˈmɑ tə/, sto·mas.

Also stomate. Botany. any of various small apertures, especially one of the minute orifices or slits in the epidermis of leaves, stems, etc., through which gases are exchanged.
Zoology. a mouth or ingestive opening, especially when in the form of a small or simple aperture.
Medicine/Medical. an artificial opening between two hollow organs or between one hollow organ and the outside of the body, constructed to permit the passage of body fluids or waste products.

Origin of stoma

1675–85; < New Latin < Greek stóma mouth

OTHER WORDS FROM stoma

sto·mal, adjective

Words related to stomata

orifice, opening, vesicle, outlet, foramen, halo

Example sentences from the Web for stomata

British Dictionary definitions for stomata (1 of 2)

stomata
/ (ˈstəʊmətə, ˈstɒm-, stəʊˈmɑːtə) /

noun

the plural of stoma

British Dictionary definitions for stomata (2 of 2)

stoma
/ (ˈstəʊmə) /

noun plural stomata (ˈstəʊmətə, ˈstɒm-, stəʊˈmɑːtə)

botany an epidermal pore, present in large numbers in plant leaves, that controls the passage of gases into and out of a plant
zoology anatomy a mouth or mouthlike part
surgery an artificial opening made in a tubular organ, esp the colon or ileum See colostomy, ileostomy

Word Origin for stoma

C17: via New Latin from Greek: mouth

Medical definitions for stomata

stoma
[ stō′mə ]

n. pl. sto•mas

A minute opening or pore, as in the surface of a membrane.
A mouthlike opening, such as the oral cavity of a nematode.
A surgically constructed opening, especially one made in the abdominal wall to permit the passage of waste.

Other words from stoma

sto′mal adj.

Scientific definitions for stomata

stoma
[ stō′mə ]

Plural stomata (stō′mə-tə)

Botany One of the tiny openings in the epidermis of a plant, through which gases and water vapor pass. Stomata permit the absorption of carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis from the air, as well as the removal of excess oxygen. Stomata occur on all living plant parts that have contact with the air; they are especially abundant on leaves. A single leaf may have many thousands of stomata. Each stoma is generally between 10 to 30 microns in length and is surrounded by a pair of crescent-shaped cells, called guard cells. The guard cells can change shape and close the stoma in order to prevent the loss of water vapor. See Note at transpiration.
Zoology A mouthlike opening, such as the oral cavity of a nematode.
Medicine A temporary or permanent opening in a body surface, especially the abdomen or throat, that is created by a surgical procedure, such as a colostomy or tracheostomy.