stenosis

noun

ste·​no·​sis stə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce stenosis (audio)
plural stenoses stə-ˈnō-ˌsēz How to pronounce stenosis (audio)
: a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice
stenotic
stə-ˈnä-tik How to pronounce stenosis (audio)
adjective

Examples of stenosis 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.
Spinal stenosis keeps him in a wheelchair most of the time. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 His mother was also a blood donor who started giving when Vaughan had surgery to treat pyloric stenosis as a baby. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 In August 2025, Humphreys was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026 Those that are more common include lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis, and facet joint irritation, among others. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stenosis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek stenōsis act of narrowing, from stenoun to narrow, from stenos narrow

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stenosis was circa 1860

Rhymes for stenosis

See All Rhymes for stenosis

Browse Nearby Words

stenosed
stenosis
stenospermocarpy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stenosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stenosis. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

stenosis

noun
ste·​no·​sis stə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce stenosis (audio)
plural stenoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce stenosis (audio)
: a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice
esophageal stenosis
see aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, spinal stenosis, subaortic stenosis

More from Merriam-Webster on stenosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stenosis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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