orifice

[ awr-uh-fis, or- ]

noun

1. an opening or aperture, as of a tube or pipe; a mouthlike opening or hole; mouth; vent.

orifice

/ ˈɒrɪfɪs /

noun

1. technical_term.
   an opening or mouth into a cavity; vent; aperture

Other Words From

• or·i·fi·cial [awr-, uh, -, fish, -, uh, l, or-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orifice¹

1535–45; < Middle French < Late Latin ōrificium, equivalent to Latin ōr- (stem of ōs ) mouth + -i- -i- + -fic-, combining form of facere to make, do ¹ ( -fic ) + -ium noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of orifice¹

C16: via French from Late Latin ōrificium, from Latin ōs mouth + facere to make

Example Sentences

You may even seek refuge from a dust storm by climbing into the rear orifice of a pink unicorn, erected on Black Rock City’s lunar-like terrain.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the kind of movie where, at any moment, the editor might throw in an insert shot of an oozing orifice, keeping viewers on their toes.

From Los Angeles Times

Surgeries included many performed in the body’s orifices to treat polyps, inflamed tonsils, hemorrhoids and fistulas.

From New York Times

The agency contends that welding debris from the manufacturing process can block an “exit orifice” for gas that is released to fill the air bag in a crash.

From Seattle Times

The twisted nightmares of bioengineering, with hideous orifices and unnatural urges, are bad; normal is good.

From Los Angeles Times