earwax
noun
ear·wax ˈir-ˌwaks 
: the yellow waxy secretion from the glands of the external ear
called also cerumen
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Even something as simple as a piece of earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus, the NIDCD said. 
Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 Some people also just naturally produce more earwax, which also can lead to a blockage. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 30 Mar. 2022 Other stations demonstrate how parasites can be removed from the body, and how a Punnett square (a diagram used in genetics) can predict whether a child will inherit the gene for wet or dry earwax from their parents. Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2014 Tools to remove earwax from thousands of years ago have been discovered in ancient Roman and at Viking archaeological sites. Henry Ou, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 Other sources, including plugs of whale earwax (which record environmental conditions, such as pollutants, like rings of a tree stump), provide lengthy records from the course of a whale’s lifetime. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 8 Dec. 2021 Manufactures over-the-counter ear and nose care products for needs including earwax blockage and nasal irritation. Ann Gehan, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2021 Mineral or baby oil will soften the earwax, Dr. Ren says. Madeleine Burry, Health.com, 14 Sep. 2021 There's nothing grosser than pulling out your earbuds to share with a friend, only to realize there's nasty earwax lodged inside. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 1 Dec. 2020 See More
Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2022 Some people also just naturally produce more earwax, which also can lead to a blockage. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 30 Mar. 2022 Other stations demonstrate how parasites can be removed from the body, and how a Punnett square (a diagram used in genetics) can predict whether a child will inherit the gene for wet or dry earwax from their parents. Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2014 Tools to remove earwax from thousands of years ago have been discovered in ancient Roman and at Viking archaeological sites. Henry Ou, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2022 Other sources, including plugs of whale earwax (which record environmental conditions, such as pollutants, like rings of a tree stump), provide lengthy records from the course of a whale’s lifetime. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 8 Dec. 2021 Manufactures over-the-counter ear and nose care products for needs including earwax blockage and nasal irritation. Ann Gehan, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2021 Mineral or baby oil will soften the earwax, Dr. Ren says. Madeleine Burry, Health.com, 14 Sep. 2021 There's nothing grosser than pulling out your earbuds to share with a friend, only to realize there's nasty earwax lodged inside. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 1 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
earwax
noun
ear·wax ˈir-ˌwaks
: a yellowish brown waxy substance made by glands in the canal of the outer part of the ear
Medical Definition
earwax
noun
ear·wax ˈi(ə)r-ˌwaks
: the yellow waxy secretion from the glands of the external ear
called also cerumen