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cloaca
[ kloh-ey-kuh ]
/ kloʊˈeɪ kə /
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Definition of cloaca
noun, plural clo·a·cae [kloh-ey-see]. /kloʊˈeɪ si/.
Zoology.
- the common cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative canals open in birds, reptiles, amphibians, many fishes, and certain mammals.
- a similar cavity in invertebrates.
a sewer, especially an ancient sewer.
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Origin of cloaca
1650–60; <Latin clo(u)āca, cluāca sewer, drain; probably akin to Greek klýzein to wash, wash away
OTHER WORDS FROM cloaca
clo·a·cal, adjectivepre·clo·a·cal, adjectiveWords nearby cloaca
clivers, clivia, clk., Cllr, clo., cloaca, cloacitis, cloak, cloak-and-dagger, cloak-and-suiter, cloak-and-sword
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use cloaca in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for cloaca
cloaca
/ (kləʊˈeɪkə) /
noun plural -cae (-kiː)
a cavity in the pelvic region of most vertebrates, except higher mammals, and certain invertebrates, into which the alimentary canal and the genital and urinary ducts open
a sewer
Derived forms of cloaca
cloacal, adjectiveWord Origin for cloaca
C18: from Latin: sewer; related to Greek kluzein to wash out
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
Scientific definitions for cloaca
cloaca
[ klō-ā′kə ]
Plural cloacae (klō-ā′sē′)
The body cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital canals empty in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes. The cloaca has an opening for expelling its contents from the body, and in females it serves as the depository for sperm. Also called vent
See vent.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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