plural tracheae
ˈtrā-kē-ˌē 
-kē-ˌī
also tracheas or trachea
1
: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates
2
3
[New Latin]
: one of the air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many other arthropods
Examples of trachea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When food or other foreign material enters your trachea (windpipe), the condition is called aspiration.
—
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
According to the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Baffin, a 7-year-old male polar bear, died by drowning following a crushing injury to his trachea by Siku, an 8-year-old male polar bear.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
The doctor's initial assessment was that Reese might have the croup (larynx and trachea inflammation).
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 26 July 2024
Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can cause inflammation and irritation in the structures of the throat, including the esophagus (food pipe), trachea (windpipe), and tonsils.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for trachea 
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
According to the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Baffin, a 7-year-old male polar bear, died by drowning following a crushing injury to his trachea by Siku, an 8-year-old male polar bear.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
The doctor's initial assessment was that Reese might have the croup (larynx and trachea inflammation).
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 26 July 2024
Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections can cause inflammation and irritation in the structures of the throat, including the esophagus (food pipe), trachea (windpipe), and tonsils.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for trachea
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trachea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near trachea
Cite this Entry
“Trachea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trachea. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trachea
noun
tra·chea
ˈtrā-kē-ə
plural tracheae
-kē-ˌē
-kē-ˌī
also tracheas or trachea
1
: the main part of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates
called also windpipe
2
: one of the tiny air-carrying tubes that form the respiratory system of most insects and many other land-dwelling arthropods (as spiders)
Medical Definition
trachea
noun
tra·chea
ˈtrā-kē-ə, British also trə-ˈkē-ə
plural tracheae
-kē-ˌē
also tracheas
also tracheas
: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs that is about four inches (10 centimeters) long and somewhat less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, extends down the front of the neck from the larynx, divides in two to form the bronchi, has walls of fibrous and muscular tissue stiffened by incomplete cartilaginous rings which keep it from collapsing, and is lined with mucous membrane whose epithelium is composed of columnar ciliated mucus-secreting cells
called also windpipe
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