: cavity, hollow: such as
a
: a narrow elongated tract extending from a focus of suppuration and serving for the discharge of pus
b(1)
: a cavity in the substance of a bone of the skull that usually communicates with the nostrils and contains air
(2)
: a channel for venous blood
(3)
: a dilatation in a bodily canal or vessel
c
: a cleft or indentation between adjoining lobes (as of a leaf or corolla)

Examples of sinus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among several sauces on the side, home in on senafich, a classic, sinus-sizzling Ethiopian condiment fashioned from mustard seeds. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Dr Xu had submitted a short video showing tiny, hair-like structures called cilia moving through the airway of a child suffering from primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare respiratory condition that can lead to chronic lung, sinus, and ear infections. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 More recent records documented cardiac arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia and hypertension. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Officially, the National and Michael Whitehall, his agent, had insisted that Charleson was suffering from a sinus infection. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sinus

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, curve, fold, hollow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sinus was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sinus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinus. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a hollow place : cavity
especially : any of several cavities in the skull that usually connect with the nostrils

Medical Definition

: a cavity or hollow in the body: as
a
: a narrow elongated tract extending from a focus of suppuration and serving for the discharge of pus
a tuberculous sinus
b(1)
: a cavity in the substance of a bone of the skull that usually communicates with the nostrils and contains air
(2)
: a channel for venous blood
(3)
: a dilatation in a bodily canal or vessel

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