goiter

American  

[goi-ter] / ˈgɔɪ tər /

especially British, goitre

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.

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goiter Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of goiter

1615–25; < French goitre ≪ Latin guttur throat

Explanation

A goiter is an unusually enlarged thyroid gland that results in a protusion on the neck. If you've ever seen someone with a large growth on their neck, it may have been a goiter. Goiters are a result of the thyroid gland producing too much or too little hormone. Goiters can also develop because you're not getting enough iodine in your diet. A goiter can be small, but it can also become extremely large and unsightly. If you even think you're getting a goiter, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

Example Sentences

This interference can increase the risk of developing goiter, a condition linked to multiple health complications.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

I once watched him spend an entire bus ride diagnosing a fellow passenger’s goiter and then offering her advice about which kind of doctor she should consult.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

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

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2021

My tentative theory is that Hillary may have sporadic flare-ups of goiter, worsened under stress.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2016

Only the skin on her throat was taut and smooth, stretched over an enormous goiter.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy