nostril

American

[nos-truhl] / ˈnɒs trəl /

noun

either of the two external openings of the nose.

nostril British

/ ˈnɒstrɪl /

noun

either of the two external openings of the nose

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nostril

before 1000; Middle English nostrill, Old English nosterl, variant of nosthyrl, equivalent to nos ( u ) nose + thyrel hole; thirl

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His face is red and his nostrils flare.

From Literature

It stood up against the yawning lid, shiny and sharp with a flaring nostril.

From Literature

The stench wafted up from the darkness, stinging his nostrils.

From Literature

Miss Buckner’s nostrils widened, and her mouth went through minute contortions.

From Literature

Among the works is a giant dinosaur fossil made from hammers, knives and spanners, a snake made from an old bicycle chain and a bull's nostrils formed from a vintage gas mask.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023