eardrum

American  

[eer-druhm] / ˈɪərˌdrʌm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

• eardrums
  plural

1. a membrane in the ear canal between the external ear and the middle ear; tympanic membrane.

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eardrum British  

/ ˈɪəˌdrʌm /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for tympanic membrane

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eardrum Scientific  

/ îr′drŭm′ /

1. The thin, oval-shaped membrane that separates the middle ear from the outer ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, which are then transmitted to the ossicles of the middle ear.

2. Also called tympanic membrane

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eardrum Cultural  

1. The membrane that divides the outer ear from the middle ear. The vibrations of this membrane in response to sound waves lead to the sensation of hearing. Also called the tympanic membrane.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• eardrums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of eardrum

First recorded in 1635–45; ear ¹ + drum ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eardrum eardrums

Sound travels normally through the ear canal, eardrum, and into the fluid-filled inner ear.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

Modern mammals rely on a middle ear that includes an eardrum and several tiny bones, a system that makes it possible to detect a wide range of sounds at different volumes.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 19, 2026

Moon incurred tinnitus following an injury to his eardrum in recent years, which impacted his ability to work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2026

There were also the tunnels, causing some discomfort in the eardrum.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2024

Even I though Kat’s voice was like a supersonic boom splitting my eardrum, I was glad.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Why must it take a pickaxe to the eardrums?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

This crew - smallish in number but sufficiently large to assault the eardrums of the management and players - are an odd bunch.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

The sparse landscaping on the thoroughfares left sidewalks exposed to the bright sun, and the constant rumble of trucks and buses assaulted the eardrums.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2025

When those vibrations reach our ears, they send a vibration through our eardrums, which is recognized in the brain as sound.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2025

I had to be the one to start it up—and the one to fumble with the volume knob when it just about blew our eardrums out with static.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken