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

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

From BBC

Other risks from recreational use include liver failure, damage to the urethra, incontinence and impotence.

From BBC

While there are urban legends of the fish swimming up the urethras of some people, this has only been documented once and under controversial circumstances.

From Salon

These measures track the roles of surface tension, gravity and inertia in how fluids are excreted from a tube like the urethra.

From New York Times

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