eyelid

noun

eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid How to pronounce eyelid (audio)
: either of the movable folds of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

Examples of eyelid in a Sentence

the upper eyelid of the left eye
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At Yohji Yamamoto, a long strand of eyelashes cascaded down from a model’s lower eyelid and snaked against her face. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 How Heated Eye Masks Work Warm compresses have long been used by ophthalmologists to loosen clogged oil glands in the eyelids. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The body had been laid on a blanket, and somebody had carefully opened the eyelids and pressed the mouth into a smile, for the picture. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Sun exposure may contribute not only to cataracts and macular degeneration, but also to cancers of the eyelid, Lazzaro said. — Angelica Stabile , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eyelid

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eyelid was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing eyelid

Rhymes for eyelid

See All Rhymes for eyelid

Browse Nearby Words

eye level
eyelid
eye lift
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eyelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eyelid. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eyelid

noun
eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid How to pronounce eyelid (audio)
: one of the movable lids of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

Medical Definition

eyelid

noun
eye·​lid ˈī-ˌlid How to pronounce eyelid (audio)
: either of the movable lids of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

called also palpebra

More from Merriam-Webster on eyelid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eyelid

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