noun
trachea
truh-KEE-uh
Trachea (noun) means the windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat down to the lungs. Example: “A blocked trachea can make breathing extremely difficult.”
noun
1
The windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat down to the lungs.
"A blocked trachea can make breathing extremely difficult."
How to use trachea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe windpipe, the airway between your throat and lungs.
Common mistake
Don't confuse it with the esophagus, which carries food to the stomach rather than air to the lungs.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- tracheae, tracheæ, tracheas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A blocked _____ can make breathing extremely difficult.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin trachea, from Greek trakheia artēria, literally "rough artery" — a reference to the ridged texture of its cartilage rings.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for trachea
See all rhymes for trachea →Frequently asked questions
What does “trachea” mean?
The word “trachea” means the windpipe: the tube that carries air from the throat down to the lungs. In plain terms, the windpipe, the airway between your throat and lungs.
How do you pronounce “trachea”?
“Trachea” is pronounced truh-KEE-uh (/ˈtɹeɪ.ki.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “trachea” in a sentence?
Here is “trachea” used in a sentence: “A blocked trachea can make breathing extremely difficult.”
What part of speech is “trachea”?
“Trachea” is a noun.
Where does the word “trachea” come from?
The word “trachea” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin trachea, from Greek trakheia artēria, literally "rough artery" — a reference to the ridged texture of its cartilage rings.
