turbinate

American  

[tur-buh-nit, -neyt] / ˈtɜr bə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

adjective

1. Also turbinated. having the shape of an inverted cone; scroll-like; whorled; spiraled.

2. Anatomy. of or relating to certain scroll-like, spongy bones of the nasal passages in humans and other vertebrates.

3. inversely conical.

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noun

1. a turbinate shell.

2. Also called nasal concha.  Anatomy. a turbinate bone.

turbinate British  

/ ˈtɜːbɪnəl, -ˌneɪt, ˈtɜːbɪnɪt /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to any of the thin scroll-shaped bones situated on the walls of the nasal passages

2. shaped like a spiral or scroll

3. (esp of the shells of certain molluscs) shaped like an inverted cone

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noun

1. Also called: nasal concha.  a turbinate bone

2. a turbinate shell

Other Word Forms

• nonturbinate
  adjective
• nonturbinated
  adjective
• turbination
  noun

Etymology

Origin of turbinate

1655–65; < Latin turbinātus shaped like a top, equivalent to turbin- (stem of turbō a top; see turbine) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Researchers also identified signs of a structure known as a respiratory turbinate inside the nose of Triceratops.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

P. 3-7 cm. wavy then turbinate, glabrous; g. thick, distant; s. 3-5 cm. narrowed below; sp.

From European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae by Massee, George

Sporangium obovoid to turbinate, olive-yellow to olive-brown in color, stipitate; the wall densely granulose within, externally smooth and shining, the upper part soon disappearing, leaving a funnel-shaped persistent base.

From The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio by Morgan, A. P. (Andrew Price)

Achenes turbinate, 5-angled; pappus of several chaffy scales.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa

Core medium, turbinate, regular, slightly open, clasping; Seeds numerous, angular, pointed; Flesh yellow, breaking, juicy; Flavor very sweet; Quality good to very good; Use, baking, market; Season, December and January.

From American Pomology Apples by Warder, J. A.