gills

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "gills" is correct and it is usable in written English.
Gills are used for breathing, so you can use the word "gills" when referring to any organism with gills. For example: "Some fish have gills that help them breathe underwater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The tadpoles are bizarre-looking, transparent filter feeders – the blood vessels, gills, brain and gut are all visible through the body wall," Christopher Michaels with ZSL wrote in an EDGE blog.

The Guardian

The widely spaced eyes of the tadpoles migrate to the top of the head, the mouth and internal organs change shape, lungs form, gills diminish and the wide-finned tail is absorbed after legs grow".

The Guardian

The larvae, or nymphs, have feathery gills – located in the anus – that are especially vulnerable to toxins.

The Guardian

Stuffed to the gills with drugs, Idol demolished furniture, reduced his TV to rubble and spilt all manner of liquids on the carpets.

The Guardian - Travel

Some have gills instead of lungs, or claws instead of nails and some "don't have any Consequences only pustules coming out of their eyes in old age, or a beard growing from private parts, or nostrils popping up on their knees".

The Economist

Algae of the genus Chaetoceros kill fish by clogging their gills.

The Economist

However, a new study suggests that one dispersant harms epithelial cells, found in human lungs and fish gills.

The Economist

And, in research just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Chang Liu, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his colleagues describe the first attempts to do so.A natural lateral-line system consists of about 100 sense cells that run from the gills to the tail on each side of the fish.

The Economist

If it extended 24-month loans, then private investors would be encouraged to lend to banks for periods up to that duration as well.American banks are not as directly exposed to the debt crisis as European lenders, many of which are stuffed to the gills with the bonds of their own governments.

The Economist

Mr Young pronounced that he wants her chief rival, Barack Obama, to be president but in 2016, not 2008.The 46-year-old Mr Obama is just too green about the gills for the highest office in the land, Mr Young argued, and lacks a network of political allies that could sustain him in times of trouble.

The Economist

It had been stuffed to the gills with cocaine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing aquatic animals, use "gills" to accurately describe their respiratory organs. Ensure context clarifies whether you are referring to internal or external gills, as some species exhibit both during different life stages.

Common error

Avoid using "gills" interchangeably with lungs or other respiratory structures found in terrestrial animals. Gills are specifically adapted for aquatic respiration, while lungs are designed for air-breathing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gills" is as a plural noun, referring to the respiratory organs of aquatic animals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as demonstrated by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gills" functions as a plural noun, primarily referring to the respiratory organs of aquatic animals. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The term frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions about aquatic life and biology. While the word is very common, it's important to remember to use "gills" to refer to an organ and avoid using it interchangeably with lungs. Alternative terms like "branchiae" or "respiratory filaments" offer more specificity in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

branchiae

This is a scientific term for gills, emphasizing its biological classification.

lamellae

This refers to the plate-like structures within gills that increase surface area for gas exchange.

branchial filaments

This alternative focuses on the individual components of the gill structure.

water-breathing organs

This alternative directly indicates that the organs are specifically for breathing in water.

respiratory organs of aquatic animals

This alternative specifies the function and habitat of the organs.

organs for aquatic respiration

This phrase highlights the function of the organs in an aquatic environment.

fish breathing apparatus

This alternative narrows the focus to fish and their specific breathing mechanism.

respiratory membranes in water-dwelling creatures

This alternative provides a broader description of the function and inhabitants.

breathing slits

This describes a specific type of gill structure, particularly in some fish and sharks.

internal respiration structures of marine life

This alternative gives more detailed information about the location and function of gills

FAQs

How to use "gills" in a sentence?

You can use "gills" to describe the respiratory organs of aquatic animals, such as in the sentence: "Fish use their "gills" to extract oxygen from the water".

What is the biological function of gills?

Gills are specialized respiratory organs that extract dissolved oxygen from water and excrete carbon dioxide. They are essential for the survival of aquatic animals.

Which animals have gills?

Gills are present in many aquatic animals, including fish, amphibians (in their larval stage), and some invertebrates like crustaceans and mollusks. Even some turtles use "gills".

What's the difference between gills and lungs?

Gills are designed for aquatic respiration, extracting oxygen from water. Lungs are adapted for terrestrial respiration, extracting oxygen from the air. Some animals, like lungfish, possess both "gills" and lungs.