uro-

¹

1. a combining form meaning “urine,” used in the formation of compound words:

   urology.

uro-

²

1. a combining form meaning “tail,” used in the formation of compound words:

   uropod.

uro-

¹

combining_form

1. indicating a tail

   uropod

   urostyle

   urochord

uro-

²

combining_form

1. indicating urine or the urinary tract

   urology

   urolith

   urogenital

   urochrome

Word History and Origins

Origin of uro-¹

< Greek, combining form of oûron urine

Origin of uro-²

< New Latin ūro-, combining form representing Greek ourá

Word History and Origins

Origin of uro-¹

from Greek oura

Origin of uro-²

from Greek ouron urine

Example Sentences

“They will not rush to delist Sudan since Trump appears to have no interest in Africa,” Mr. Nying’uro said.

From Washington Times

“The Trump administration should now reward Sudan by lifting all economic sanctions in order not to hurt the Sudanese people,” said Philip Nying’uro, a professor of international relations at the University of Nairobi.

From Washington Times

However, Mr. Nying’uro said he fears the procedure for removing Sudan from the terrorism list will be long.

From Washington Times

Mr. Nying’uro predicts the U.S. under the Trump administration will tread cautiously this time.

From Washington Times

Dr Griffins Mang'uro says it is also important for guardians to be more open and tell children their HIV status - when they are between the ages of nine and 11.

From BBC

Words That Use uro-

What does uro- mean?

Uro- is a combining form used like a prefix that has two unrelated senses.

The first is “urine.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology. In some terms, such as urostomy, uro- is used to denote the urinary tract, the system for removing urine from the body. This ur- comes from Greek oûron, meaning “urine.” Other combining forms that mean “urine,” such as urino- and urin-, come from the Latin for “urine,” ūrīn(a).

The second is “tail.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in anatomy and zoology. This ur- ultimately comes from Greek ourá, meaning “tail.” The name of the uroboros, a mythological symbol of the snake eating its own tail, comes from this same Greek word.

What are variants of uro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, both uro- combining forms become ur-; ur- with the sense “urine” forms uremia, while ur- with the sense “tail” forms urite. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use ur- article.

Examples of uro- meaning “urine”

An example of a medical term you may have come across that features the combining form uro- is urology, “the scientific, clinical, and especially surgical aspects of the study of the urine and the genitourinary tract in health and disease.”

The first portion of the word, uro-, here means “urine.” The -logy portion of the word may also look familiar; it is used to name sciences or bodies of knowledge. Urology therefore means “the science of urine.”

What are some words that use the combining form uro-?

• urocele
• urochrome
• urocystitis
• uroedema
• urolith
• uropathy
• urostomy

What are some other forms that uro- may be commonly confused with?

• ortho-
• urano-
• urethro-
• utero-

Break it down!

The combining form -pathy has a variety of meanings, including “disease.” With this in mind, what kind of medical condition is uropathy?

Examples of uro- meaning “tail”

One example of a term from zoology that features the form uro- to mean “tail” is uromere, meaning “any segment of the abdomen of an arthropod.” Arthropods constitute a phylum of animals including insects and spiders.

The combining form uro- in terms from zoology means “tail,” while the -mere portion of the word means “part,” from Greek méros. Uromere literally translates to “tail part.”

What are some words that use the combining form uro-?

• urodele (using the equivalent form of uro- in French)
• uropod
• urostyle

What are some other forms that uro- may be commonly confused with?

• ortho-
• urano-
• urethro-
• utero-

Break it down!

Lobsters have an appendage known as a uropod that they use to help move around. Given that -pod means “having a foot,” what does uropod mean?