vocal cords

American  

plural noun

Anatomy.

1. either of the two pairs of folds of mucous membrane projecting into the cavity of the larynx.

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vocal cords British  

plural noun

1. either of two pairs of mucomembranous folds in the larynx. The upper pair ( false vocal cords ) are not concerned with vocal production; the lower pair ( true vocal cords or vocal folds ) can be made to vibrate and produce sound when air from the lungs is forced over them See also glottis

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vocal cords Scientific  

/ vō′kəl /

1. The two folded pairs of membranes in the larynx (voice box) that vibrate when air that is exhaled passes through them, producing sound.

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vocal cords Cultural  

1. Two folds of tissue located in the larynx that vibrate when air passes over them, producing the sound waves associated with talking and singing.

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Etymology

Origin of vocal cords

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

My vocal cords were mostly moving as they should be, ruling out vocal cord paralysis or other pathologies.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

However, the condition worsened, "sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to," she told NBC News.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Voice loss often becomes permanent when scar tissue forms on the vocal cords.

From Science Daily • Jan. 2, 2026

It is famed for bespoke policies, from soccer star David Beckham’s legs to singer Celine Dion’s vocal cords.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

When the bus arrives, I breathe a sigh of relief ’cause if I swallow one more drop of frozen air, my vocal cords might go into a state of hypothermia.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles