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: a viscid slippery secretion that is usually rich in mucins and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects
Examples of mucus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This drug-free nasal suction device works quickly to soothe nasal passages by sucking out mucus, allergens and germs.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024
Neti pots are commonly used to flush the nasal passages, helping to alleviate allergy symptoms or clear mucus during a sinus infection.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
People who are infected with pathogens can expel them from their bodies in saliva, mucus, blood, urine and feces as well as in respiratory secretions in the form of droplets and aerosols.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
In the first years of a child’s life, Creech said parents could use a bulb syringe, used to remove mucus from a baby’s mouth and nose, to help relieve nasal congestion.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024
Share [Findings] Stinging water was blamed on jellyfish mucus.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024
His father walked with a slight limp and coughed up mucus into the bathroom sink every night without washing it away.
—Thomas Korsgaard, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
The mucus will thicken a bit and may turn light yellow.
—Rebecca Stewart, Parents, 21 Dec. 2023
The next step to survive on land was having a thicker skin, losing the mucus and having the ability to retain water.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mucus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Mucus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mucus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
mucus
noun
mu·cus
ˈmyü-kəs
: a slippery sticky substance produced especially by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects
Medical Definition
mucus
noun
mu·cus
ˈmyü-kəs
: a viscid slippery secretion that is usually rich in mucins and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens and protects
More from Merriam-Webster on mucus
Nglish: Translation of mucus for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mucus for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mucus
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