# vagina

/vəˈdʒaɪnə/ (US) · /vədʒˈaɪnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vagina
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. anatomy

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the part of a woman's body that connects the outer sex organs to the womb.

For teachers: the internal muscular canal in female mammals leading from the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.

- The doctor explained how the baby moves through the vagina during birth.
- The lining of the vagina undergoes significant physiological changes during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.

Usage: In medical contexts, it refers specifically to the internal canal, not the external parts.

### 3. botany

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a part of a plant that wraps around a stem like a sleeve.

For teachers: a sheathlike structure, such as the base of a leaf that surrounds a stem.

- The grass leaf forms a protective vagina around the young stem.
- The botanical description noted that the leaf's vagina was particularly elongated, providing structural support to the primary stalk.

## Examples

- The doctor explained how the vagina changes during pregnancy.
- Medical students must learn the precise anatomical structures of the vagina to understand reproductive health and childbirth.
- The acidic environment within the vagina is maintained by beneficial bacteria, which serve as a primary defense mechanism against various pathogenic infections.

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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.