1
: either of the external nares
broadly
: either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose
Examples of nostril in a Sentence
My left nostril is stuffed up.
She left in a rage, her nostrils flaring.
Recent Examples on the Web
The flat edge lays down product, the rounded side buffs and blends, and the precision tip gets into all the hard-to-reach areas like nostrils and lash lines.
—
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
It’s presented in a treasure chest with smoke protruding as the chest opens, slowly displaying the cocktail itself as the smoke billows into the patron’s face, preparing their nostrils for the smokey aroma ahead.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In one group, azelastine nasal spray was applied to each nostril three times a day for an average of 56 days.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Some people also find relief with the Toynbee maneuver, which Lee says involves taking and holding a breath through your nose, pinching your nostrils closed while keeping your mouth shut, then swallowing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostril
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Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
It’s presented in a treasure chest with smoke protruding as the chest opens, slowly displaying the cocktail itself as the smoke billows into the patron’s face, preparing their nostrils for the smokey aroma ahead.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In one group, azelastine nasal spray was applied to each nostril three times a day for an average of 56 days.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Some people also find relief with the Toynbee maneuver, which Lee says involves taking and holding a breath through your nose, pinching your nostrils closed while keeping your mouth shut, then swallowing.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostril
Cite this Entry
“Nostril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostril. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl 
: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes
also
: either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose
Medical Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl
1
: either of the external nares
broadly
: either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose
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