spiracle
noun
spi·ra·cle ˈspir-i-kəl 
ˈspī-ri-
1
: a breathing hole : vent
2
: a breathing orifice: such as
a
: blowhole sense 2
b
: an external tracheal aperture of a terrestrial arthropod that in an insect is usually one of a series of small apertures located along each side of the thorax and abdomen see insect illustration
spiracular
spə-ˈra-kyə-lər
adjective spī-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some modern-day fishes that breathe air have similarly large spiracles. 
John A. Long, Scientific American, 20 May 2020 The skull of Elpistostege contains a clue: at the back of the head is a pair of large holes called spiracles. John A. Long, Scientific American, 20 May 2020 Sturgeon have holes in their sides called spiracles, which help them breathe along with their gills. National Geographic, 25 Feb. 2020 Also, an up-close look reveals intake vents (spiracles) behind the eyes for circulating water through the gills and out on the saw’s underside for exhaling. David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 13 Dec. 2019 The photographs showed children touching the animal, unintentionally covering the spiracle. Robert Newhouse, Teen Vogue, 17 Aug. 2017 When disturbed, say by a predator, these North American insects compress their bodies and squeeze air out of holes in the sides of their bodies, called spiracles. National Geographic, 26 Apr. 2017 See More
John A. Long, Scientific American, 20 May 2020 The skull of Elpistostege contains a clue: at the back of the head is a pair of large holes called spiracles. John A. Long, Scientific American, 20 May 2020 Sturgeon have holes in their sides called spiracles, which help them breathe along with their gills. National Geographic, 25 Feb. 2020 Also, an up-close look reveals intake vents (spiracles) behind the eyes for circulating water through the gills and out on the saw’s underside for exhaling. David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 13 Dec. 2019 The photographs showed children touching the animal, unintentionally covering the spiracle. Robert Newhouse, Teen Vogue, 17 Aug. 2017 When disturbed, say by a predator, these North American insects compress their bodies and squeeze air out of holes in the sides of their bodies, called spiracles. National Geographic, 26 Apr. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin spiraculum, from spirare to breathe
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
spiracle
noun
spi·ra·cle ˈspir-ə-kəl
: an opening on the body (as of an insect) used for breathing
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