1 swimmer\'s ear | Definition of swimmer\'s ear
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swimmer's ear

noun

Definition of swimmer's ear

: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, and discharge and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected usually with a bacterium

Examples of swimmer's ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 In modern human populations, some people are more prone to swimmer's ear than others. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Neanderthals suffered from a veritable epidemic of swimmer’s ear," 19 Aug. 2019 The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends this approach to prevent swimmer's ear. — Houston Chronicle, "Vicks VapoRub for poison ivy itch," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swimmer's ear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of swimmer's ear

1917, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for swimmer's ear

swimmer's ear

noun
swim·​mer's ear | \ ˈswim-É™rz- How to pronounce swimmer's ear (audio) \

Medical Definition of swimmer's ear

: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and sometimes hearing loss and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected with a bacterium (as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus) or rarely with a fungus

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with swimmer's ear

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