nodule

noun

nod·​ule ˈnä-(ˌ)jül 

: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: such as

a

: a small rounded lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate

b

: a swelling on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria

c

: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (such as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)

Synonyms

• bump
• knot
• lump
• node
• swelling

Examples of nodule in a Sentence

The examination revealed a nodule on his lung.

a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there

Recent Examples on the Web

Its initial field of harvest will be in the waters of the world’s polymetallic nodule hotspot, known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Scientists believe many of the life-forms that call this environment home would be unlikely to recover from the removal of the nodules and are calling for protections, according to the Natural History Museum. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Environmental scientists worry that harvesting nodules will send up plumes of sediment into the water and kill anything living on the seafloor, such as brittle stars and bizarre sea cucumber species like the one known as the gummy squirrel. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Within a few minutes, metallic iron nodules started appearing in the mixture. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024

Mining contractors have tested robots that vacuum up the nodules, which are a habitat for deep ocean animals. —Todd Woody, Fortune Europe, 13 Jan. 2024

The iron was remarkably pure, at about 98 percent of the material by weight in the nodules being iron. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024

Deep-sea mining decisions were delayed The deep sea contains valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper in potato-sized rocks called nodules. —Naomi Greenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2023

But genetically programming cereals to grow nodules could be even more complicated than programming them to generate nitrogenase. —Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin nodulus, diminutive of nodus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nodule

noun

nod·​ule ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l 

1

: a small rounded mass

manganese nodules on the ocean floor

2

: a swelling on the root of a plant of the legume family that contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria

nodular

ˈnäj-ə-lər

adjective

Medical Definition

nodule

noun

nod·​ule ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l 

: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: as

a

: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)

b

: the nodulus of the cerebellum