pharyngeal

[ fuh-rin-jee-uhl, -juhl, far-in-jee-uhl ]

/ fəˈrɪn dʒi əl, -dʒəl, ˌfær ɪnˈdʒi əl /

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adjective

of, relating to, or situated near the pharynx.

Phonetics. articulated with retraction of the root of the tongue and constriction of the pharynx.

noun

Phonetics. a pharyngeal speech sound.

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Also pha·ryn·gal

[fuh-ring-guhl]. /fəˈrɪŋ gəl/.

Origin of pharyngeal

1820–30; <New Latin pharynge(us) pharyngeal (see pharyng-, -eous) + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM pharyngeal

post·pha·ryn·gal, adjectivepost·pha·ryn·ge·al, adjectivesub·pha·ryn·gal, adjectivesub·pha·ryn·ge·al, adjective

sub·pha·ryn·ge·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby pharyngeal

Pharos, Pharr, Pharsalia, Pharsalus, pharyng-, pharyngeal, pharyngealize, pharyngeal tonsil, pharyngectomy, pharyngitis, pharyngo-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pharyngeal in a sentence

When they are ready to feed, the eels open up and push their second jaws, or the “pharyngeal jaws,” forward from their throat.
Moray eels enjoy surf ‘n turf with a surprise second set of jaws|Claire Maldarelli|June 22, 2021|Popular-Science
Thus the study of their development strongly supports Gegenbaur's view of the nature of the vagus and glosso-pharyngeal, viz.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The outgrowth of the vagus and glosso-pharyngeal nerves is not continuous with that of the seventh nerve.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The water regurgitated is, however, by means of the elevation of the soft palate, forced into the pharyngeal pouch.
Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon|Robert A. Sterndale

For in the medulla are found the nerve nuclei which preside over the facial, laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles.
Degeneracy|Eugene S. Talbot
The pharyngeal epithelium is rather thicker than that of the oral cavity.
Development of the Digestive Canal of the American Alligator|Albert M. Reese

British Dictionary definitions for pharyngeal

pharyngeal

pharyngal (fəˈrɪŋɡəl)

/ (ˌfærɪnˈdʒiːəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or situated in or near the pharynx

phonetics pronounced or supplemented in pronunciation with an articulation in or constriction of the pharynx

noun

phonetics a pharyngeal speech sound

Word Origin for pharyngeal

C19: from New Latin pharyngeus; see pharynx

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012