uro-

¹ American  

1. a combining form meaning “urine,” used in the formation of compound words.

   urology.

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uro- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “tail,” used in the formation of compound words.

   uropod.

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uro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating urine or the urinary tract

   urochrome

   urogenital

   urolith

   urology

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uro- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a tail

   urochord

   uropod

   urostyle

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Usage

What does uro- mean? Uro- is a combining form used like a prefix that has two unrelated senses.The first is “urine.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology. In some terms, such as urostomy, uro- is used to denote the urinary tract, the system for removing urine from the body. This ur- comes from Greek oûron, meaning “urine.” Other combining forms that mean "urine," such as urino- and urin-, come from the Latin for "urine," ūrīn(a).The second is “tail.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in anatomy and zoology. This ur- ultimately comes from Greek ourá, meaning “tail.” The name of the uroboros, a mythological symbol of the snake eating its own tail, comes from this same Greek word.What are variants of uro-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, both uro- combining forms become ur-; ur- with the sense “urine” forms uremia, while ur- with the sense “tail” forms urite. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use ur- article.

Etymology

Origin of uro-¹

< Greek, combining form of oûron urine

Origin of uro-²

< New Latin ūro-, combining form representing Greek ourá

Example Sentences

However, Mr. Nying’uro said he fears the procedure for removing Sudan from the terrorism list will be long.

From Washington Times

Dr Griffins Mang'uro says it is also important for guardians to be more open and tell children their HIV status - when they are between the ages of nine and 11.

From BBC

Beebe strolls past Uro, his large German shepherd, a retired Fidelco guide dog, and flicks on the lights of a back office.

From Washington Times

“When refugee kids are resettled, it is a policy decision that gets made and arrives at our door,” said Gabriela Uro, a director at the Council of the Great City Schools, which represents large, urban districts, including Miami.

From Seattle Times

Navigating slowly, the boat made a stop at Suma Kurmi, one of the floating islands that the Uro indigenous population had constructed out of reeds.

From New York Times