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

Sporangium obovoid to turbinate, yellow or olive-yellow, stipitate; the wall rather firm, smooth and shining, breaking away about the apex, leaving the greater portion persistent.

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

Core very large, turbinate, regular, closed; Seeds imperfect, angular; Flesh yellowish-white, tender, breaking; Flavor sub-acid, aromatic; Quality best; Use, table, kitchen and market; Season, December and longer.

From American Pomology Apples by Warder, J. A.

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 Massee, George

Stipe short, erect, snow-white, longitudinally furrowed or plicate; the columella central, snow-white, various in shape, globose, obovoid, turbinate, and stipitate or sessile.

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