epiglottis
noun
epi·glot·tis
ˌe-pə-ˈglä-təs 
: a thin plate of flexible cartilage in front of the glottis that folds back over and protects the glottis during swallowing
Examples of epiglottis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The bacteria attacked her epiglottis, the piece of cartilage that covers the windpipe when eating so food doesn’t get into the lungs.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
When the epiglottis swells, a kid can’t breathe.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
Medics have to lift the epiglottis with a metal scope and carefully angle the tube forward.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The epiglottis blocks the trachea during swallowing.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epiglottis
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.
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
When the epiglottis swells, a kid can’t breathe.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
Medics have to lift the epiglottis with a metal scope and carefully angle the tube forward.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The epiglottis blocks the trachea during swallowing.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epiglottis
Cite this Entry
“Epiglottis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiglottis. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
epiglottis
noun
epi·glot·tis
ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs
: a thin plate of flexible cartilage in front of the glottis that folds back over and protects the glottis during swallowing
epiglottal
adjective
-ˈglät-ᵊl
Medical Definition
epiglottis
noun
epi·glot·tis
ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs
: a thin lamella of yellow elastic cartilage that ordinarily projects upward behind the tongue and just in front of the glottis and that with the arytenoid cartilages serves to cover the glottis during the act of swallowing
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
