polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpä-ləp 

1

: the sessile form of cnidarian (such as a coral or sea anemone) typically having a hollow cylindrical body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with nematocysts

2

: a growth projecting from a mucous membrane (as of the colon or vocal cords)

polypoid

ˈpä-lə-ˌpȯid 

adjective

Examples of polyp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Polyps also usually don't show symptoms — which is why regular screening tests to find and remove polyps helps to prevent illness. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Doctors can remove polyps, seal wounds, inject medications, remove a blockage, place a stent or even use laser therapy all while inside the large intestine. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Those people with genetic syndromes, for instance, inflammatory bowel disease, or personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps may need to begin earlier and receive screening more frequently. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025

Millions of genetically identical individual animals called polyps combine to form the largest coral to ever be discovered, and it can even be seen from space. —Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French polype octopus, nasal polyp, from Old French polipe, from Latin polypus, from Greek polypous, from poly- + pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polyp

• dollop
• wallop

Kids Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: an invertebrate animal (as a sea anemone or a coral) that is a coelenterate having a hollow cylinder-shaped body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with minute stinging organs

Medical Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine)

called also polypus