eardrum

American  

[eer-druhm] / ˈɪərˌdrʌm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

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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Etymology

Origin of eardrum

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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC

For dogs that are extra sensitive to strange sounds, she suggests bringing along cotton balls that can be safely stuffed in your dog’s ears and won’t harm its eardrums.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Keep your mouth open and it will save your eardrums.”

From Literature

It thrummed in my eardrums, I could feel the vibrations in my own body.

From Literature

The model showed that hedgehogs possess very small, dense middle ear bones along with a partially fused joint between the eardrum and the first of these bones.

From Science Daily