noun
eardrum
EER-druhm
noun
1
The thin membrane inside the ear that vibrates in response to sound and passes the vibration on to the inner ear bones.
"Loud explosions can rupture the eardrum."
How to Use Eardrum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe membrane inside your ear that vibrates when sound waves hit it.
Common pairings
burst eardrum
perforated eardrum
Word Forms
eardrums plural
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Etymology
A compound of "ear" and "drum", named for its drum-like membrane.