gullet

American  

[guhl-it] / ˈgʌl ɪt /

noun

1. the esophagus.

2. the throat or pharynx.

3. a channel for water.

4. a gully or ravine.

5. a preparatory cut in an excavation.

6. a concavity between two sawteeth, joining them at their bases.

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verb (used with object)

1. to form a concavity at the base of (a sawtooth).

gullet British  

/ ˈɡʌlɪt /

noun

1. a less formal name for the oesophagus

2. the throat or pharynx

3. mining quarrying a preliminary cut in excavating, wide enough to take the vehicle that removes the earth

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Etymology

Origin of gullet

1350–1400; Middle English golet < Old French goulet ≪ Latin gula throat; see -et

Explanation

Gullet is another name for the esophagus, the organ that food passes through on its way to the stomach. When you eat a cupcake, it moves from your mouth to your pharynx, and then to your gullet. The gullet is an important part of your digestive system, linking your mouth and stomach, and also one of the earliest steps in the digestive process. Muscles in the gullet contract and relax, helping to push food along, a process that's called peristalsis. Gullet comes from the Old French golet, "neck of a bottle," from the Latin gula, "throat."

Example Sentences

The Pasco delivery station is not a same-day delivery site, but Gullet said it is meant to decrease delivery times for local shoppers.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2024

There have been five deaths at Gullet Quarry in Malvern in the past 14 years, including two within just a few days of each other.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2022

Gililland also admitted she provided Gullet with some food and other supplies.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2020

Bonds’ 22nd career leadoff home run came off Don Gullet in a 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2020

One of the Myrish galleys had foundered in the Straits of Tarth, and a storm had overtaken them as they were entering the Gullet, scattering the fleet across half the narrow sea.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin