atresia

noun

atre·​sia ə-ˈtrē-zhə How to pronounce atresia (audio)
1
: absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
2
: absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (such as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

Examples of atresia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eloise was born with esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula. — Will Croxton, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026 Nolan suffered from biliary atresia, a condition where bile ducts –– which carry the bile the liver makes into the intestines –– don’t develop properly. — Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026 The toddler was born in June 2022 with tricuspid atresia, a congenital heart defect. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 This is due to atresia, the ASRM explains, or the natural process through which follicles that house eggs in the ovaries degenerate and die. — Natasha Lavender, SELF, 22 Aug. 2019 See All Example Sentences for atresia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from a- entry 2 + Greek trēsis perforation, from tetrainein to pierce — more at throw entry 1

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of atresia was in 1790

Rhymes for atresia

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Browse Nearby Words

atremble
atresia
at rest
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atresia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atresia. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

atresia

noun
atre·​sia ə-ˈtrē-zhə How to pronounce atresia (audio)
1
: absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
atresia of the small intestine
2
: absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

More from Merriam-Webster on atresia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atresia

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