English Reference

Word

cochlear

US/ˈkɑkɫiɝ/

UK/kˈɒtʃliə/

Definition

adj. relating to the inner ear, specifically the part that helps you hear. It describes things connected to how sound is turned into signals your brain can understand.

adj. relating to the cochlea, the spiral-shaped cavity in the inner ear that is responsible for hearing. Often used in medical or biological contexts to describe structures or functions of the auditory system.

Examples

“The doctor checked for any cochlear damage after the loud noise.”

“Advances in cochlear implant technology have allowed many people with profound hearing loss to perceive speech more clearly.”

“The surgeon performed a delicate procedure to repair the cochlear nerve, which is essential for transmitting auditory information from the ear to the brainstem.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor checked for any cochlear damage after the loud noise.”

contextual

“Advances in cochlear implant technology have allowed many people with profound hearing loss to perceive speech more clearly.”

complex

“The surgeon performed a delicate procedure to repair the cochlear nerve, which is essential for transmitting auditory information from the ear to the brainstem.”

Real-World Examples

“This is partly due to funding cuts and local government policy, but it’s also due to the uptake of cochlear implants, electrical devices that relay sound to the brain, enabling speech development.”
The Guardian · 21 Sept 2026

Etymology

From cochlea + -ar.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Anatomy

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/cochlear

English Reference