Your vocal cords are the part of your throat that vibrates when you speak.
She wanted to scream, but her vocal cords seemed paralysed.
vocal cords in British English
plural noun
either of two pairs of mucomembranous folds in the larynx. The upper pair (false vocal cords) are not concerned with vocal production; the lower pair (true vocal cords or vocal folds) can be made to vibrate and produce sound when air from the lungs is forced over them
See also glottis ▶ Related adjective: glottal
vocal cords in American English
either of two pairs of membranous cords or folds in the larynx, consisting of a thicker upper pair (false vocal cords) and a lower pair (true vocal cords): voice is produced when air from the lungs causes the lower cords to vibrate: pitch is controlled by varying the tension on the cords, and volume, by regulating the air passing through the larynx
Examples of 'vocal cords' in a sentence
vocal cords
I'd barely heard Jojo speak at all in the years that I'd known him; his vocal cords seemed to be worn out.
James Birrell THE MANANA MAN (2002)
The paralysis in his vocal cords seemed to have extended to his eyes, and he was able to take in only parts of the tightly typed note.
Dobbs, Michael WALL GAMES (2002)
Pine made a confused grunting sound, his usually vocal cords having been strained last night.
James Birrell THE MANANA MAN (2002)
Cameron's mouth opened to yell, but her vocal cords were raw, so her scream came out as a rush of air.