# lingua

/ˈɫɪŋɡwə/ (US) · /lˈɪŋɡjuːɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lingua
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the tongue of a person or animal. It is a medical or scientific word for the organ you use to taste and speak.

For teachers: the tongue of a human or animal. Often used in anatomical or medical contexts to describe the muscular organ in the mouth.

## Examples

- The doctor examined the patient's lingua for signs of infection.
- In many anatomical diagrams, the lingua is depicted as a muscular structure that plays a key role in both digestion and speech.
- The study of the lingua across various species reveals significant evolutionary adaptations, particularly in how the organ is utilized for vocalization and the manipulation of food particles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.