Adam's apple

American

noun

a projection of the thyroid cartilage at the front of the neck that is more prominent in men than in women.
crape jasmine.

Adam's apple British

noun

the visible projection of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx at the front of the neck

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Adam's apple

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I stared at Noah’s bobbing Adam’s apple as he suckled at his bottle.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

His narrow-bridged nose, blue eyes, and the way they drooped at the corners looked right, but I remembered a more prominent Adam’s apple than was visible in the photos on television.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2021

Breasting the tape with his head tipped back and Adam’s apple protruding, he collapsed, unable to stand for at least two minutes.

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2018

The star of “The Partridge Family,” the one with the wispy voice, fluffy hair and puka-shell enhanced Adam’s apple, died this week.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 24, 2017

I watch his Adam’s apple as he swallows once, then again.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023