1
: either of the external nares
broadly
: either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose
Examples of nostril in a Sentence
My left nostril is stuffed up.
She left in a rage, her nostrils flaring.
Recent Examples on the Web
The viral clip showing a sea turtle’s distress during the veterinary removal of a plastic straw embedded in its nostril spurred a mass movement.
—
Genia Naro MacIel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Alternate Nostril Breathing This technique involves breathing into one nostril while the other is held closed, and then alternating nostrils.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
With its inherent bite, garlic for me is key, clearing the nostrils and complementing the pepper.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
The Mormon Wives star, 32, took to Instagram on March 4 to talk about her Weir excision — a procedure that reduces the width of a person's nostrils — and how her time on the show affected her decision to have the surgery.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostril
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Genia Naro MacIel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Alternate Nostril Breathing This technique involves breathing into one nostril while the other is held closed, and then alternating nostrils.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
With its inherent bite, garlic for me is key, clearing the nostrils and complementing the pepper.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
The Mormon Wives star, 32, took to Instagram on March 4 to talk about her Weir excision — a procedure that reduces the width of a person's nostrils — and how her time on the show affected her decision to have the surgery.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostril
Cite this Entry
“Nostril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostril. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl 
: either of the outer openings of the nose through which one breathes
also
: either fleshy wall forming a side of the nose
Medical Definition
nostril
noun
nos·tril
ˈnäs-trəl
1
: either of the external nares
broadly
: either of the nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum
2
: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose
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