ear canal

noun

: the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane

Examples of ear canal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The shape of the ear-tips was given an oval profile to provide a more comfortable fit in the ear canal and an effective acoustic seal. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Fifteen-year-old Furugh was born with microtia, a congenital condition that left her without an external right ear and ear canal, per FOX 5 New York. Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026 At their core, today’s hearing aids still work on the same principle: A microphone picks up sound, a processor amplifies and shapes it to match the user’s hearing loss, and a tiny speaker delivers the adjusted sound into the ear canal. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026 Early shokuhin sampuru were relatively rough replicas molded out of wax; some pioneering artisans were more accustomed to, say, sculpting ear canals for otologists and solar systems for science classes. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ear canal

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ear canal was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Ear canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ear%20canal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

ear canal

noun

Medical Definition

ear canal

noun
: the tubular passage of the outer ear leading to the tympanic membrane
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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