eardrum

[ eer-druhm ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

1. a membrane in the ear canal between the external ear and the middle ear; tympanic membrane.

eardrum

/ ˈɪəˌdrʌm /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for tympanic membrane

eardrum

/ îr′drŭm′ /

1. The thin, oval-shaped membrane that separates the middle ear from the outer ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, which are then transmitted to the ossicles of the middle ear.
2. Also called tympanic membrane

eardrum

1. The membrane that divides the outer ear from the middle ear . The vibrations of this membrane in response to sound waves lead to the sensation of hearing. Also called the tympanic membrane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eardrum¹

First recorded in 1635–45; ear ¹ + drum ¹

Example Sentences

There were also the tunnels, causing some discomfort in the eardrum.

From BBC

Nafsika, one of the trained teachers at the school, told how one of the ear examinations she did on a student showed up something concerning - a hole in the eardrum.

From BBC

Sounds of Beyoncé and Earth, Wind & Fire reach your eardrums and awaken the alto in all of us to join the choir of thousands around you.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike human eardrums and conventional microphones that detect sound pressure waves, spider silk responds to changes in the velocities of air particles as they are thrust about by a sound field.

From Science Daily

Spiders use their webs like enormous external eardrums.

From New York Times