cornea

American  

[kawr-nee-uh] / ˈkɔr ni ə /

noun

Anatomy.

1. the transparent anterior part of the external coat of the eye covering the iris and the pupil and continuous with the sclera.

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cornea British  

/ ˈkɔːnɪə /

noun

1. the convex transparent membrane that forms the anterior covering of the eyeball and is continuous with the sclera

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cornea Scientific  

/ kôr′nē-ə /

1. The tough transparent membrane of the outer layer of the eyeball that covers the iris and the pupil.

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cornea Cultural  

1. The transparent outer covering of the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

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Other Word Forms

• corneal adjective
• multicorneal adjective
• precorneal adjective

Etymology

Origin of cornea

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cornea ( tēla, later tunica ) horny (web or tunic), feminine of corneus corneous

Explanation

Your cornea is part of your eyeball — specifically, it's the clear layer that covers your whole iris and pupil. Without a cornea (or two), you wouldn't be able to see. This transparent dome focuses light as it passes through, as well as protecting the rest of the eye from injury. If you've ever gotten a little scratch on your eyeball, that's called a corneal abrasion and it usually heals itself quickly. The Latin root of cornea means "horn-like web or sheath," from an ancient Greek belief that it resembled a thin slice of an animal's horn.

Example Sentences

Sitting on his living room couch this week, Rodriguez said doctors told him the projectile that hit him in his eye damaged his iris, cornea and lens.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Originally introduced in Europe, this 20-minute cosmetic procedure involves using a laser to create a channel in the cornea, where colored pigment is deposited to change the color of the eye.

From Salon • May 4, 2025

She has keratoconus - a condition where the cornea thins and bulges, causing distorted and blurred vision.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

Appearing to be in tears behind sunglasses she was wearing, Serrano stood next to Paul in the ring as he explained that her cornea had been exposed due to the injury.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2024

Even after her cornea transplant, Mammachi could only see light and shadow.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy