esophagus
noun
esoph·a·gus
i-ˈsä-fə-gəs 
plural esophagi
i-ˈsä-fə-ˌgī
-ˌjī
-ˌjī
: a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach and that in humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach
Examples of esophagus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team's success with this experiment means this system could be an effective alternative to how GERD – a common chronic digestive condition – is currently monitored with the use of a tube that goes through your nose or mouth before being pinned to your esophagus.
—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
Firefighters were at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton on Wednesday, July 23, being screened with new technology designed to screen for a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Kirby was hospitalized for two months with kidney, bladder and esophagus issues, as well as multiple infections.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 23 July 2025
That injury was later revealed to be a micro-tear of Oliveira’s esophagus.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for esophagus
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.
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
Firefighters were at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton on Wednesday, July 23, being screened with new technology designed to screen for a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Kirby was hospitalized for two months with kidney, bladder and esophagus issues, as well as multiple infections.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 23 July 2025
That injury was later revealed to be a micro-tear of Oliveira’s esophagus.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for esophagus
Cite this Entry
“Esophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esophagus. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
esophagus
noun
esoph·a·gus
i-ˈsäf-ə-gəs
plural esophagi
-ˌgī
-ˌjī
: a muscular tube that leads from the cavity behind the mouth to the stomach
Medical Definition
esophagus
noun
esoph·a·gus
variants
or chiefly British oesophagus
: a muscular tube that in adult humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share