urethra

American  

[yoo-ree-thruh] / yʊˈri θrə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

urethrae, urethras

1. the membranous tube that extends from the urinary bladder to the exterior and that in the male conveys semen as well as urine.

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urethra British  

/ jʊˈriːθrə /

noun

1. the canal that in most mammals conveys urine from the bladder out of the body. In human males it also conveys semen

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urethra Scientific  

/ y-rē′thrə /

plural

urethras

1. The duct through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body in most mammals and some fish and birds. In males, the urethra passes through the penis and also serves as the duct for the release of sperm, which enter the urethra from the vas deferens.

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urethra Cultural  

1. A tube through which urine moves from the urinary bladder out of the body. In the male, the urethra also acts as the passageway for semen.

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Other Word Forms

• suburethral adjective
• transurethral adjective
• urethral adjective

Etymology

Origin of urethra

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin ūrēthra, from Greek ourḗthra, equivalent to ourē- + -thra noun suffix; ureter

Example Sentences

Surgical mesh is used to support the vagina and organs including the bladder, the rectum, or the urethra.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

UTIs are bacterial infections which can affect the bladder, urethra or kidneys.

From BBC • May 21, 2025

A typical remedy is to stretch or dilate the urethra, a minimally invasive procedure that is often performed with general anesthesia, Dr. Lepor said.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024

The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of the body.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

When Day drove her back to Hopkins for X-rays the following week, stone-hard tumors filled the inside of her abdomen: one on her uterus, one on each kidney and on her urethra.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot