noun ·Uncommon ·College level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A pore or opening used (especially by arthropods and some fish) for respiration.
2. 2
   a breathing orifice wordnet
3. 3
   The blowhole of a whale, dolphin or other similar species.
4. 4
   Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.

Synonyms

All synonyms

air ductair holeair passageair shaftair tubeairway

Etymology

From Latin spiraculum, from spirare (“to breathe”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.