tonsil
Americannoun
noun
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Also called: palatine tonsil. either of two small masses of lymphatic tissue situated one on each side of the back of the mouth
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anatomy any small rounded mass of tissue, esp lymphatic tissue
Usage
What are tonsil stones? Tonsil stones are small yellow or white lumps embedded in the tonsils. They result from bacterial or fungal build-up that forms into a nasty-smelling—but generally—harmless mass. How do you pronounce tonsil stones?[ ton-suh l stohnz ]
Other Word Forms
- tonsilar adjective
- tonsillar adjective
- tonsillary adjective
Etymology
Origin of tonsil
First recorded in 1595–1605, tonsil is from the Latin word tōnsillae (plural) the tonsils
Vocabulary lists containing tonsil
Human Anatomy and Physiology - Introductory
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Human Anatomy and Physiology - High School
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Human Anatomy and Physiology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Arthurs previously recovered from tonsil cancer in 2022.
From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025
In May 2022, the “Mooo!” rapper was forced to cancel her 2022 live dates after tonsil surgery.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2023
Mr. Kildee, who sits on the committee, was absent because he is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his tonsil.
From Washington Times • Apr. 19, 2023
Still, his March diagnosis of tonsil cancer was surprising.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2022
When the operation was half over, he had come out into the ante-room, grinning and waving one tonsil in a pair of forceps.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
