goiter

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noun goi·ter \ˈgȯi-tər\

Definition of goiter

: an enlargement of the thyroid gland visible as a swelling of the front of the neck — compare hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism

goitrous

play \ˈgȯi-trəs, ˈgȯi-tə-rəs\ adjective

See goiter defined for English-language learners

See goiter defined for kids

Recent Examples of goiter from the Web

Down from the mountains, fur-trapping explorer Jim Bridger retired with his goiter and rheumatism in his farmhouse on the other side of the crick.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "How KC’s Watts Mill became a mill — and a fiddler’s paradise," 18 July 2017
In 1997, according to Unicef, almost a fifth of its population had goiters — swollen thyroid glands in the neck that indicate serious deficiency, which can also cause dwarfism and cretinism.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "How a Tsunami in Japan Endangered Children in Cambodia," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goiter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of goiter

French goitre, from Middle French, back-formation from goitron throat, from Vulgar Latin *guttrion-, guttrio, from Latin guttur

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First Known Use: 1625

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GOITER Defined for English Language Learners

goiter

play

noun

Definition of goiter for English Language Learners

medical : a swelling on the front of the neck caused by the thyroid gland becoming too large

GOITER Defined for Kids

goiter

play

noun goi·ter \ˈgȯi-tər\

Definition of goiter for Students

: a swelling on the front of the neck caused by enlargement of the thyroid gland

Medical Dictionary

goiter

noun goi·ter

variants: or chiefly British

goitre

\ˈgȯit-ər\play

Medical Definition of goiter

: an enlargement of the thyroid gland that is commonly visible as a swelling of the anterior part of the neck, that often results from insufficient intake of iodine and then is usually accompanied by hypothyroidism, and that in other cases is associated with hyperthyroidism usually together with toxic symptoms and exophthalmos—called also struma