medullary

adjective

med·​ul·​lary ˈme-də-ˌler-ē How to pronounce medullary (audio) ˈme-jə- How to pronounce medullary (audio) mə-ˈdə-lə-rē How to pronounce medullary (audio)
1
: of or relating to the pith of a plant
2
: of or relating to a medulla and especially the medulla oblongata

Examples of medullary 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.
Greenwell announced in August that he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 Oct. 2025 For example, in chickens, medullary bone forms one to two weeks before the first egg is laid, and is reabsorbed about three weeks after the last egg is laid, according to the study. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025 Stages of Medullary Thyroid Cancer Age does not play a role in determining the stages of medullary thyroid cancer. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024 The same goes for people with a condition called gastroparesis, which affects stomach nerves and muscles, and those susceptible to medullary thyroid cancer. — Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026 Risk Of Thyroid Cancer Studies performed in rodents have shown a link between GLP-1 agonists and the development of a rare type of thyroid cancer known as medullary thyroid cancer. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of medullary was in 1830

Phrases Containing medullary

Rhymes for medullary

See All Rhymes for medullary

Browse Nearby Words

medulla oblongata
medullary
medullary bundle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

medullary

adjective
med·​ul·​lary ˈmed-ᵊl-ˌer-ē How to pronounce medullary (audio) ˈmej-ə-ˌler-ē; mə-ˈdəl-ə-rē How to pronounce medullary (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to the medulla of any body part or organ
b
: containing, consisting of, or resembling bone marrow
c
: of or relating to the medulla oblongata or the spinal cord
d
: of, relating to, or formed of the dorsally located embryonic ectoderm destined to sink below the surface and become neural tissue
2
: resembling bone marrow in consistency
—used of cancers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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