trachea
noun
tra·chea ˈtrā-kē-ə 
plural tracheae ˈtrā-kē-ˌē
-kē-ˌī
also tracheas or trachea 1
: the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates
2
[New Latin, from Medieval Latin] : vessel sense 3b
also : one of its constituent cellular elements
3
[New Latin] : one of the air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many other arthropods
tracheal
ˈtrā-kē-əl
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Joan Ballantyne herself darted between the rooms of two patients, one in respiratory distress, the other with a breathing tube snaked down her trachea. 
Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Richardson said bees do have what could be described as hollow cavities in their bodies, but that’s their trachea, which is part of their respiratory system. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 This can happen even after mild Covid-19, where infection is restricted to the trachea and lungs. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 This triggers laryngospasm and coughing to prevent water from going further down the trachea and into the lungs. Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022 Titus Folks, Students for Life Action grassroots coordinator, said during the press conference that his daughter was born with her trachea fused together and could not breathe without medical intervention. The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 One was that Val Kilmer, who has difficulty speaking after throat cancer and numerous trachea surgeries, return to play Iceman. Jake Coyle, ajc, 23 May 2022 Gaal had suffered defensive wounds on her hands and fingers before her trachea and carotid artery were cut, according to authorities. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 22 Apr. 2022 Emilio didn’t leave the hospital for five months, following multiple surgeries on his trachea and abdomen. Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2020 See More
Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Richardson said bees do have what could be described as hollow cavities in their bodies, but that’s their trachea, which is part of their respiratory system. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2022 This can happen even after mild Covid-19, where infection is restricted to the trachea and lungs. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 This triggers laryngospasm and coughing to prevent water from going further down the trachea and into the lungs. Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 14 July 2022 Titus Folks, Students for Life Action grassroots coordinator, said during the press conference that his daughter was born with her trachea fused together and could not breathe without medical intervention. The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 One was that Val Kilmer, who has difficulty speaking after throat cancer and numerous trachea surgeries, return to play Iceman. Jake Coyle, ajc, 23 May 2022 Gaal had suffered defensive wounds on her hands and fingers before her trachea and carotid artery were cut, according to authorities. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 22 Apr. 2022 Emilio didn’t leave the hospital for five months, following multiple surgeries on his trachea and abdomen. Bryan Rogala, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin trachia, from Greek tracheia (artēria) rough (artery), from feminine of trachys rough
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
trachea
noun
tra·chea ˈtrā-kē-ə
plural tracheae
-kē-ˌē
1
: a stiff-walled tube of the respiratory system that connects the pharynx with the lungs
2
: a breathing tube of an insect that connects with the outside of the body and carries oxygen directly to the cells
Medical Definition
trachea
noun
tra·chea
ˈtrā-kē-ə, British also trə-ˈkē-ə
plural tracheae -kē-ˌē also tracheas
also tracheas : the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs that is about four inches (10 centimeters) long and somewhat less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, extends down the front of the neck from the larynx, divides in two to form the bronchi, has walls of fibrous and muscular tissue stiffened by incomplete cartilaginous rings which keep it from collapsing, and is lined with mucous membrane whose epithelium is composed of columnar ciliated mucus-secreting cells
called also windpipe