intima

noun

in·​ti·​ma ˈin-tə-mə How to pronounce intima (audio)
plural intimae ˈin-tə-ˌmē How to pronounce intima (audio) -ˌmī How to pronounce intima (audio) or intimas
: the innermost coat of an organ (such as a blood vessel) consisting usually of an endothelial layer backed by connective tissue and elastic tissue
intimal
ˈin-tə-məl How to pronounce intima (audio)
adjective

Examples of intima in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An artery is made of three layers, so the intima is the inner layer. . . . — Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of intimus

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intima was in 1873

Browse Nearby Words

intil
intima
intimacy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intima. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

intima

noun
in·​ti·​ma ˈint-ə-mə How to pronounce intima (audio)
plural intimae -ˌmē How to pronounce intima (audio) -ˌmī How to pronounce intima (audio) or intimas
: the innermost coat of an organ (as a blood vessel) consisting usually of an endothelial layer backed by connective tissue and elastic tissue

called also tunica intima

intimal
-məl How to pronounce intima (audio)
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All