outer ear

noun

: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone

Examples of outer ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Others swear by acupuncture that focusses on the nerves of the outer ear. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Cut all the ear shapes out, then glue the inner ear shape on top of the outer ear shape, leaving about 1 inch at the bottom unattached. — Annabelle Canela, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026 The way the sound interacts with the outer ear produces natural localization cues, which the brain interprets as a larger space. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2026 The most common, otitis externa, affects the outer ear canal, while otitis media and otitis interna involve the middle and inner ear. — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outer ear

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outer ear was in 1701

Rhymes for outer ear

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Browse Nearby Words

outer-direction
outer ear
outer form
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Cite this Entry

“Outer ear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outer%20ear. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outer ear

noun
: the outer visible part of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the eardrum by way of a canal through the temporal bone

Medical Definition

outer ear

noun
out·​er ear ˈau̇t-ər- How to pronounce outer ear (audio)
: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone
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