dilator

or di·lat·er

[ dahy-ley-ter, dih-, dahy-ley- ]

noun

1. Anatomy. a muscle that dilates some cavity of the body.
2. Surgery. an instrument for dilating body canals, orifices, or cavities.

dilator

/ daɪˈleɪtə; dɪ-; ˌdɪ-; ˌdaɪləˈteɪtə /

noun

1. something that dilates an object, esp a surgical instrument for dilating a bodily cavity
2. a muscle that expands an orifice or dilates an organ

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilator¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; dilate + -or ²

Example Sentences

The film contains flashes of inspiration, as when McGlynn intercuts Lindy’s use of a dilator with frenetic music and jarring clips of construction equipment.

From New York Times

He noted that nasal strips, nasal dilators, and throat and tongue exercises can also address snoring.

From Seattle Times

Chin straps, nose clips and strips, nostril dilators — be wary of them, Dr. Chang said, they don’t work for everyone.

From New York Times

My boyfriend and I broke up, but being single for a while gave me time to get better at my own pace, trying a combination of dilators, getting support from a counsellor and massage.

From The Guardian

Its old-timey cases reveal marvelous medical curiosities: leeches, snake oil, voodoo love drops and rectal dilators that promised to cure insomnia, piles and other ills.

From Washington Post