noun
aorta
ay-AW-tuh
Aorta (noun) means the largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the rest of the body. Example: “A blockage in the aorta can be life-threatening.”
noun
1
The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the rest of the body.
"A blockage in the aorta can be life-threatening."
How to use aorta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe main pipe carrying blood away from the heart to the whole body.
Common pairings
aortic valve
rupture of the aorta
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like aorta.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- aortas, aortae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A blockage in the _____ can be life-threatening.
Etymology
From Greek aorte, related to a verb meaning "to lift or raise" — describing how the vessel rises from the heart.
Rhymes for aorta
See all rhymes for aorta →Frequently asked questions
What does “aorta” mean?
The word “aorta” means the largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the rest of the body. In plain terms, the main pipe carrying blood away from the heart to the whole body.
How do you pronounce “aorta”?
“Aorta” is pronounced ay-AW-tuh (/eɪˈɔɹtə/ in IPA).
How do you use “aorta” in a sentence?
Here is “aorta” used in a sentence: “A blockage in the aorta can be life-threatening.”
What part of speech is “aorta”?
“Aorta” is a noun.
Where does the word “aorta” come from?
The word “aorta” comes from Greek. From Greek aorte, related to a verb meaning "to lift or raise" — describing how the vessel rises from the heart.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include aorta:
