urethra

[ yoo-ree-thruh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural u·re·thrae [y, oo, -, ree, -three], u·re·thras.

1. the membranous tube that extends from the urinary bladder to the exterior and that in the male conveys semen as well as urine.

urethra

/ jʊˈriːθrə /

noun

1. the canal that in most mammals conveys urine from the bladder out of the body. In human males it also conveys semen

urethra

/ y-rē′thrə /

, Plural urethras y-rē′thrē

1. The duct through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body in most mammals and some fish and birds. In males, the urethra passes through the penis and also serves as the duct for the release of sperm, which enter the urethra from the vas deferens.

urethra

1. A tube through which urine moves from the urinary bladder out of the body. In the male, the urethra also acts as the passageway for semen .

Derived Forms

• uˈrethral, adjective

Other Words From

• u·re·thral adjective
• sub·u·re·thral adjective
• trans·u·re·thral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethra¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin ūrēthra, from Greek ourḗthra, equivalent to ourē- + -thra noun suffix; ureter

Word History and Origins

Origin of urethra¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek ourēthra, from ourein to urinate

Example Sentences

Instead, it blocks sperm from getting to mens’ urethras, where it would ultimately be ejaculated—and possibly enter a woman, fertilize one of her eggs, and create a baby.

From Singularity Hub 

Although there are typically fewer devices for neobladder patients, Byfuglin, like 10% of men and up to 50% of women, has to self-catheterize her urethra to fully relieve herself.

From Time

In both cases, one of the frequent complications can be the stricture of the urethra.

From The Daily Beast

“For some people, life is just one long, hard kick in the urethra,” BoJack tells Charlie Rose.

From The Daily Beast

On a little reflection, though, the urethra as an object of erotic attention makes some sense.

From The Daily Beast

After all, the urethra is best known as a medical entity because of the painful, burning condition called urethritis.

From The Daily Beast

So it turns out the urethra, which can be a source of great pain, can also bring great pleasure.

From The Daily Beast

Strictures of the male urethra from chronic gonorrhoeal inflammation often require major surgical operations for relief.

From Project Gutenberg

Below those nervous bodies is the urethra, and whenever they swell, it swells also.

From Project Gutenberg

There are two of these vesiculae, each like a bunch of grapes, which emit the seed into the urethra in the act of copulation.

From Project Gutenberg

It will then be seen that the urethra is carried forward nearly an inch.

From Project Gutenberg

A more reliable method is to inject a solution of methylene blue into the bladder through the urethra.

From Project Gutenberg