cyst

1 of 3

noun

ˈsist 

1

: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body

2

: a body resembling a cyst: such as

a

: a resting spore of many algae

b

: the air bladder of certain algae or aquatic plants (such as rockweed)

c

: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage

also : this capsule with its contents

d

: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host

cyst-

2 of 3

combining form

variants or cysti- or cysto-

: bladder

cystitis

: sac

cystocarp

-cyst

3 of 3

noun combining form

: bladder : sac

blastocyst

Examples of cyst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Actress Kate Beckinsale previously revealed in 2019 that she had been hospitalized for a ruptured ovarian cyst, which forced her to miss the Screen Actors Guild Awards. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025

She was given a sonogram which later revealed a cyst on her spine. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Some surgeons argue that necrosis and cysts may be less of a risk with Alloclae than with a patient’s own fat, since Alloclae doesn’t contain living cells with the potential to die and cause those problems. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025

Celebrity medium Tyler Henry is recovering after undergoing his second surgery in six months to treat a cyst growing on his brain. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin cystis, from Greek kystis bladder, pouch; akin to Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts — more at wheeze

Combining form

French, from Greek kyst-, kysto-, from kystis

Noun combining form

New Latin -cystis, from Greek kystis

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cyst

• dermoid cyst

Rhymes for cyst

• cist
• cyst
• fist
• gist
• grist
• hissed
• kissed
• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist

Kids Definition

cyst

noun

ˈsist 

1

: a closed pouch or sac of fluid or solid material that develops in the body in some diseased conditions

2

: a covering resembling a cyst or a body (as a spore) with such a covering

cystic

ˈsis-tik

adjective

Medical Definition

cyst

noun

ˈsist 

1

: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a body cavity or structure

2

: a body resembling a cyst: as

a

: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage

also : this capsule with its contents

b

: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host compare hydatid sense 2a