trachea

American  

[trey-kee-uh, truh-kee-uh] / ˈtreɪ ki ə, trəˈki ə /

noun

plural

tracheae, tracheas

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the tube in humans and other air-breathing vertebrates extending from the larynx to the bronchi, serving as the principal passage for conveying air to and from the lungs; the windpipe.

2. (in insects and other arthropods) one of the air-conveying tubes of the respiratory system.

3. Botany. vessel.

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trachea British  

/ trəˈkiːə /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: windpipe.  anatomy zoology the membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi

2. any of the tubes in insects and related animals that convey air from the spiracles to the tissues

3. botany another name for vessel tracheid

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trachea Scientific  

/ trā′kē-ə /

plural

tracheae

1. The tube in vertebrate animals that leads from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and carries air to the lungs. In mammals the trachea is strengthened by rings of cartilage.

2. Also called windpipe

3. Any of the tiny tubes originating from the spiracles of many terrestrial arthropods and forming a branching network that brings air directly to body cells.

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trachea Cultural  

1. The tube connecting the mouth to the bronchial tubes that carries air to the lungs; the windpipe.

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Other Word Forms

• tracheal adjective

Etymology

Origin of trachea

1350–1400; Middle English trache < Medieval Latin trāchēa, for Late Latin trāchīa < Greek trācheîa, short for artēría trācheîa rough artery, i.e., windpipe

Compare meaning

How does trachea compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• larynx vs. trachea

Explanation

Trachea is another name for windpipe, which is the tube that connects your larynx to your primary bronchi, just before your lungs. You can't breathe without your trachea. The word trachea is from the Greek phrase for windpipe — trakheia arteria, which literally meant "rough artery." The trachea is formed from rings of cartilage, which give the trachea its rough appearance. If you can't breathe, you may need a tracheotomy, which is a procedure in which the doctor makes an incision and then places a tube in your trachea below the obstruction so you can still take air into your lungs.

Example Sentences

Chemotherapy and radiation left him with a tube in his trachea and difficulty breathing - something that was written into his final role, reprising his "Iceman" character in the 2022 Top Gun sequel.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

"You can protect the blood vessels in your neck. It also helps shield your trachea in front," he added.

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

It found evidence of “severe bilateral acute pulmonary edema” and “frothy pulmonary edema in trachea and mainstem bronchi.”

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025

Biologists see similar changes in the insect's trachea, its immune system and the outer layer of its exoskeleton called a cuticle, which transforms to make room for the babies.

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2023

Less than two weeks before departing for Nepal he had undergone minor throat surgery, leaving his trachea in an extremely sensitive condition.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx