cloaca

noun
UK: /kləʊˈeɪ.kə/
US: /kloʊˈeɪ.kə/

  1. The common cavity at the end of the digestive tract in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish, through which both excretory and reproductive products pass.

    1. The bird's cloaca is used for laying eggs and expelling waste.
    2. The anatomy of a reptile's cloaca provides valuable information about its reproductive behavior.

  2. A similar cavity or opening in some invertebrates.

    1. Some invertebrates also have a cloaca for waste expulsion.
    2. The sea cucumber uses its cloaca to draw water in for respiration.

  3. A primitive sewer or drain.

    1. The ancient city had a cloaca to remove waste water.
    2. Archeologists discovered a complex cloaca system beneath the Roman ruins.

Synonyms

vent outlet sewer

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "cloaca" in English means: The common cavity at the end of the digestive tract in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish, through which both excretory and reproductive products pass., A similar cavity or opening in some invertebrates., A primitive sewer or drain..

The phonetic transcription of "cloaca" is /kləʊˈeɪ.kə/ in British English and /kloʊˈeɪ.kə/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "cloaca": vent, outlet, sewer.

Example usage of "cloaca": "The bird's cloaca is used for laying eggs and expelling waste.". More examples on the page.