eardrum

American  

[eer-druhm] / ˈɪərˌdrʌm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

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

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eardrum British  

/ ˈɪəˌdrʌm /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for tympanic membrane

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eardrum Scientific  

/ 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

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eardrum Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of eardrum

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

Example Sentences

Although jaw-based vibration sensing likely still played a role, the eardrum would have handled most of the animal's hearing.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2026

Moon incurred tinnitus following an injury to his eardrum in recent years, which impacted his ability to work.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Later, it took surgery to remove the cluster of debris that had accumulated behind my eardrum—something that can happen after eardrum damage occurs.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2024

When you hear a sound through your ear, what you’re really experiencing are changes in air pressure that cause your eardrum to vibrate.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

First, they cleared my ear canal of scar tissue and bone fragments; it was then that they discovered my eardrum had been shattered.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai