turbinate

American  

[tur-buh-nit, -nayt] / 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  

/ ˈtɜːbɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt /

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

• turbination
  noun
• nonturbinate
  adjective
• nonturbinated
  adjective

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turbinate

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

From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026

Bulb depressed or turbinate, marginate, stem fleshy, fibrous; veil inferior, springing from margin of bulb; pileus equally fleshy; gills subsinuate.

From European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae by George Massee

The following are a few of the best figs; those marked F, are good forcing sorts, and those marked W. suitable for walls:— Agen: brownish-green, turbinate.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various

Core large, turbinate, regular open, meeting the eye; Seeds large, plump; Flesh yellow, fine-grained, tender, melting, juicy; Flavor sub-acid, rich; Quality good, Downer says "best;" Use, table; Season, December, January.

From American Pomology Apples by J. A. Warder

Sporangia subglobose to turbinate, sessile, closely crowded and from mutual pressure quite irregular; the wall thin, marked with branching veins, golden-yellow in color, smooth and shining.

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

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