Pronunciation: /kloʊˈeɪkə/

Definitions of cloaca

noun a common cavity at the end of the digestive tract for the release of both excretory and genital products in vertebrates

Example Sentences

A1 Birds have a cloaca, which is a single opening for waste elimination and reproduction.

A2 The cloaca in reptiles serves as a common chamber for the digestive, reproductive, and urinary systems.

B1 In some fish species, the cloaca is used for both excretion and mating purposes.

B2 The cloaca in birds is a complex organ that plays a crucial role in their reproductive process.

C1 The cloaca in certain species of amphibians is highly specialized and allows for efficient waste removal and reproduction.

C2 Researchers are studying the evolutionary development of the cloaca across different animal groups to understand its functional significance.

Examples of cloaca in a Sentence

formal The cloaca is a common opening for the digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts in birds.

informal I learned that birds have a cloaca which serves as a multi-purpose opening.

slang I can't believe I just saw that bird poop out of its cloaca!

figurative The company's financial department is like the cloaca of the organization, handling all the messy stuff behind the scenes.

Grammatical Forms of cloaca

plural

cloacae

comparative

more cloacal

superlative

most cloacal

present tense

cloaca

future tense

will cloaca

perfect tense

have cloacaed

continuous tense

is cloacaing

singular

cloaca

positive degree

cloaca

infinitive

to cloaca

gerund

cloacating

participle

cloacaed

Origin and Evolution of cloaca

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'cloaca' originated from Latin, where it referred to a sewer or drain.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'cloaca' has evolved to also refer to the common cavity into which the intestinal, urinary, and genital canals open in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and many fish.