gullet

noun

gul·​let ˈgə-lət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
Synonyms of gulletnext
1
: esophagus
broadly : throat
2
: an invagination of the protoplasm in various protozoans (such as a paramecium) that sometimes functions in the intake of food
3
: the space between the tips of adjacent saw teeth

Examples of gullet in a Sentence

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.
The whale’s gullet is flickeringly lit by a bioluminescent jellyfish that Jay sort of befriends. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Willie the Whale is a sculptural cetacean that invites guests to climb into its gullet to watch a show. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 That public has continually widened its gullet and gulped. — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 There will undoubtedly be a sense of confusion about what Harry and Meghan are there for … this trip may stick in the gullet of the palace. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gullet

Word History

Etymology

Middle English golet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of gule throat, from Latin gula — more at glutton

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gullet was in the 14th century

Rhymes for gullet

See All Rhymes for gullet

Browse Nearby Words

gullery
gullet
gulleting file
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gullet. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gullet

noun
gul·​let ˈgəl-ət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
1
a
: the tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach : esophagus
b
: throat sense 1
2
: a tubular structure of various protozoans (as a paramecium) that is used especially to take in food

Medical Definition

gullet

noun
gul·​let ˈgəl-ət How to pronounce gullet (audio)
1
: esophagus
broadly : throat
2
: an invagination of the protoplasm in various protozoans (as a paramecium) that sometimes functions in the intake of food

More from Merriam-Webster on gullet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gullet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gullet

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