urethra

noun

ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae yu̇-ˈrē-(ˌ)thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen
urethral
yu̇-ˈrē-thrəl How to pronounce urethra (audio)
adjective

Examples of urethra 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.
The prostate sits just below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025 Women tend to get these infections more than men because of their shorter urethras. — Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026 Simply put, UTIs happen when bacteria travel up through the urethra and into the bladder. — Oc Register, 12 Mar. 2026 Other options include minor procedures like urethral bulking (adding filler to the urethra) and the insertion of a midurethral sling (a thin mesh hammock under the urethra). — Erica Sloan, SELF, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urethra

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urethra was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

urethr-
urethra
urethritis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

urethra

noun
ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae -thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: a canal that in most mammals carries off urine from the bladder and in the male serves as a passage for the release of semen from the body
urethral
-thrəl How to pronounce urethra (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

urethra

noun
ure·​thra yu̇-ˈrē-thrə How to pronounce urethra (audio)
plural urethras or urethrae -(ˌ)thrē How to pronounce urethra (audio)
: the canal that in most mammals carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male serves also as a passageway for semen
urethral
-thrəl How to pronounce urethra (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on urethra

Nglish: Translation of urethra for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about urethra

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