spiracle
noun
spi·ra·cle
ˈspir-i-kəl 
ˈspī-ri-
1
: a breathing hole : vent
2
: a breathing orifice: such as
a
b
: an external tracheal aperture of a terrestrial arthropod that in an insect is usually one of a series of small apertures located along each side of the thorax and abdomen see insect illustration
Examples of spiracle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The oxygen released in the tank then flows through four silicone supply tubes that are attached to the roach’s spiracles prior to the operation.
—
Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
Their respiratory system consists of spiracles and branching tracheal tubes that deliver oxygen directly throughout the body.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
For insects, oxygen enters their bodies through tiny openings called spiracles, traveling through internal networks of tubes called tracheae.
—
Olatunji Osho-Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Oct. 2024
Some modern-day fishes that breathe air have similarly large spiracles.
—
John A. Long,
Scientific American,
20 May 2020
From each spiracle, the blue tubes, called trachea, carry oxygen into the chrysalis.
—
Lisa Raffensperger,
Discover Magazine,
15 May 2013
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Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
Their respiratory system consists of spiracles and branching tracheal tubes that deliver oxygen directly throughout the body.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
For insects, oxygen enters their bodies through tiny openings called spiracles, traveling through internal networks of tubes called tracheae.
—
Olatunji Osho-Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Oct. 2024
Some modern-day fishes that breathe air have similarly large spiracles.
—
John A. Long,
Scientific American,
20 May 2020
From each spiracle, the blue tubes, called trachea, carry oxygen into the chrysalis.
—
Lisa Raffensperger,
Discover Magazine,
15 May 2013
Cite this Entry
“Spiracle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiracle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spiracle
noun
spi·ra·cle
ˈspir-i-kəl
ˈspī-ri-
: any of the openings in the body of an arthropod and especially of an insect through which air enters a trachea
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