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; see 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

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

It’s wrapped around the urethra, the tube that carries semen and urine out of the body, which means that a growing prostate can pinch the urethra.

From National Geographic • Jan. 23, 2024

There are several types of surgery or procedures to shrink the prostate or widen the urethra that are available on the NHS.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024

The tumors had completely blocked her urethra, leaving her doctors unable to pass a catheter into her bladder to empty it.

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