goiter

[ goi-ter ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an enlargement of the thyroid gland on the front and sides of the neck, usually symptomatic of abnormal thyroid secretion, especially hypothyroidism due to a lack of iodine in the diet.

goiter

/ goi′tər /

1. An enlarged thyroid gland, visible as a swelling at the front of the neck. It is often associated with thyroid disease, especially in areas of the world outside of North America where iodine deficiency is endemic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goiter¹

1615–25; < French goitre ≪ Latin guttur throat

Example Sentences

Researchers rushed to isolate other micronutrients associated with diseases like rickets, scurvy, goiters, and more.

From National Geographic

They also had tumors, ranging from benign, like goiters and uterine fibroids, to malignant, like those from melanoma and blood cancers.

From New York Times

Hector V.: Iodine was originally added to salt to reduce the incidence of a goiter.

From Washington Post

But wait, there was another downside—because arsenic interferes iodine necessary for thyroid function, eating it gave people goiters.

From Salon

While it was obvious to the touch, and I didn't have a goiter, someone had put his hand on it and said, "Oh dude, yeah, wow. You might want to have that looked at."

From Salon