outer ear

American  

noun

outer ears plural

1. external ear.

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outer ear Scientific  

/ ou′tər /

1. The part of the ear in many vertebrates that is external to the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and contains the canal leading to the eardrum as well as the ear lobe and other visible structures. In mammals, the outer ear, which is made mostly of cartilage, gathers and focuses incoming sound waves and transmits them to the eardrum.

2. See more at ear

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outer ear Cultural  

1. The part of the ear that projects from the side of the head and functions to gather and guide sound waves toward the eardrum.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• outer ears
  plural

Etymology

Origin of outer ear

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Elastic cartilage is soft and flexible and forms structures such as the outer ear.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Some models put most of the electronics behind the ear, then run a wire or tube to a receiver in the ear canal or fit it into the outer ear.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2022

This is another “your mileage may vary” situation, but they felt a little too large to nest comfortably within my outer ear area, resulting in discomfort verging on mild pain after some time.

From The Verge • Jun. 14, 2022

Vestibular sensation relies on gravity’s effects on tiny crystals in the outer ear; therefore, reduced gravity on the moon would likely impair vestibular sensation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

See, normal hearing aids usually have a part that wraps around the outer ear to hold the inner bud in place.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio