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vocal cords
plural noun
: either of two pairs of folds of mucous membranes that project into the cavity of the larynx and have free edges extending dorsoventrally toward the middle line
Examples of vocal cords in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathie had to relearn how to speak properly because the knife had carved into her vocal cords and the right side of her tongue.
—Marisa Kwiatkowski, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024
The 10-hour length of the surgery coupled with the tumor’s location and severity damaged Bogan’s tongue muscles and vocal cords, impeding her ability to eat and talk, Svokos said.
—Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 13 May 2024
Your vocal cords experienced some damage from smoking cigarettes for the role.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
Bon Jovi, 62, first began experiencing issues with his vocal cords around 2015 and eventually had a surgery to alleviate loose vocal cords that were causing problems in June 2022.
—Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
In March 2022, a doctor in Philadelphia explained that one of my vocal cords was atrophying.
—Michael Snyder, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The rock group’s tour launched early last September, but was quickly put on hold after frontman Steven Tyler injured his vocal cords.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Where the throat met his chest, the quarter had turned and aligned vertically in his airway, allowing air to pass, but was stuck between his vocal cords and trachea, according to the case report.
—Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocal cords.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1757, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near vocal cords
Cite this Entry
“Vocal cords.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocal%20cords. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
vocal cords
plural noun
: either of two pairs of elastic folds of tissue in the larynx of which the lower pair produce the voice when air exhaled from the lungs causes them to vibrate
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