urethra

[ yoo-ree-thruh ]
/ yʊˈri θrə /

noun, plural u·re·thrae [yoo-ree-three] /yʊˈri θri/, u·re·thras. Anatomy.

the membranous tube that extends from the urinary bladder to the exterior and that in the male conveys semen as well as urine.

Origin of urethra

1625–35; < Late Latin < Greek ourḗthra, equivalent to ourē- (see ureter) + -thra noun suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM urethra

u·re·thral, adjective sub·u·re·thral, adjective trans·u·re·thral, adjective

Words nearby urethra

ureteroureterostomy, ureterovesicostomy, ureters, urethane, urethr-, urethra, urethral artery, urethral caruncle, urethral crest, urethral gland, urethral groove

Example sentences from the Web for urethra

British Dictionary definitions for urethra

urethra
/ (jʊˈriːθrə) /

noun plural -thrae (-θriː) or -thras

the canal that in most mammals conveys urine from the bladder out of the body. In human males it also conveys semen

Derived forms of urethra

urethral, adjective

Word Origin for urethra

C17: via Late Latin from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

Medical definitions for urethra

urethra
[ yu-rē′thrə ]

n. pl. u•re•thras

The canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder in most mammals and through which semen is discharged in the male. urogenital canal

Other words from urethra

u•re′thral adj.

Scientific definitions for urethra

urethra
[ yu-rē′thrə ]

Plural urethras urethrae (yu-rē′thrē)

The duct through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body in most mammals and some fish and birds. In males, the urethra passes through the penis and also serves as the duct for the release of sperm, which enter the urethra from the vas deferens.

Cultural definitions for urethra

urethra
[ (yoo-ree-thruh) ]

A tube through which urine moves from the urinary bladder out of the body. In the male, the urethra also acts as the passageway for semen.