labium

[ ley-bee-uhm ]

noun

, plural la·bi·a [ley, -bee-, uh].

1. a lip or liplike part.
2. Anatomy.
   1. a lip or lip-shaped structure or part.
   2. any of the folds of skin bordering the vulva.
3. Botany. the lower lip of a bilabiate corolla.
4. Entomology. the posterior, unpaired member of the mouthparts of an insect, formed by the united second maxillae.

labium

/ ˈleɪbɪəm /

noun

1. a lip or liplike structure
2. any one of the four lip-shaped folds of the female vulva See labia majora labia minora
3. the fused pair of appendages forming the lower lip of insects
4. the lower lip of the corolla of labiate flowers

labium

/ lā′bē-əm /

, Plural labia

1. Either of two pairs of folds of tissue that make up part of the external genitalia of female mammals.

Other Words From

• pseudo·labi·um noun plural pseudolabia

Word History and Origins

Origin of labium¹

1590–1600; < Latin: lip, akin to lambere to lick, lap ³. See labrum ¹, lip

Word History and Origins

Origin of labium¹

C16: New Latin, from Latin: lip

Example Sentences

“My labia fighting for which one gets to be in the suit,” one user wrote in the comment section on the now-viral post.

From Salon

The usually unassuming Soho Rep entrance is now flanked by giant labia glinting with gold-and-fuchsia sequins.

From New York Times

Are you a nude dancer whose act includes smearing a roasted marshmallow on your labia?

From Los Angeles Times

One popular online urban legend holds that Egyptians invented lipstick because it helped women's lips appear like engorged labia.

From Salon

He refers to the labia majora as a “steel trap.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rim