Browse the American Dictionary (A-Z) Browse the American Dictionary (A-Z)

American English Dictionary

Pioneers in dictionary publishing since 1819

esophagus (ɪˈsɑfəgəs ;  iˈsɑfəgəs )

Definitions

noun

Word forms:   plural eˈsophaˌgi  (ɪˈsɑfəˌdʒaɪ ) 
  1. the tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; gullet

Derived Forms

eˌsophaˈgeal (ɪˌsɑfəˈdʒiəl ; ˌ isəˈfædʒiəl )  adjective

Word Origin

altered (after ML) < ME ysophagus, OFr ysofague < ML oesophagus < Gr oisophagos, lit., passage for food < oisein, fut. inf. of pherein, to carry (see bear1) + phagein, to eat: see , -phagous

Example Sentences Including 'esophagus'

The ET tube had wound up in the esophagus rather than the trachea, the usual result of tubing someone blind.
Gregg Andrew Hurwitz DO NO HARM (2002)

Comments

Log in to comment on this word.
Word Frequency
Collins Word of the Year 2015

Find out which words made the top 10 list

Find us on Facebook
Latest New Word Submissions

View More

Related Terms

1 results

Browse nearby words

All American words that begin with 'E'