lymph

1 of 2

noun

ˈlim(p)f

archaic : the sap of plants

[New Latin lympha, from Latin, water] : a usually clear coagulable fluid that passes from intercellular spaces of body tissue into the lymphatic vessels, is discharged into the blood by way of the thoracic duct, and resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and especially lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets

lymph-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or lympho-

: lymph : lymphatic tissue

lymphogranuloma

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is especially helpful for those who are experiencing long-term side effects from their treatment — namely, issues like lymphedema, swelling that occurs due to excess lymph fluid in certain areas of the body. —

Zee Krstic, goodhousekeeping.com, 11 May 2023 The Western perspective goes beyond energy healing, suggesting that acupuncture alleviates pain by stimulating nerves, muscles, and fascia (connective tissue), along with regulating immune response, nervous system response, lymph flow, and increasing muscle relaxation, Snyder said. —

Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 24 Mar. 2023 With each of these pulses, the lymph is broken up and gently pushed toward your lymph nodes, where it is processed by your kidneys and flushed out. —

Carly Cardellino, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Mar. 2023 The most common side effects reported in the trial participants were low white blood cells and lymph cells, rash and headache. —

Jen Christensen, CNN, 17 Nov. 2022 Currently, clinicians can’t tell which cancers will spread to the lymph and which won’t. —

Andrew D. Johnson, Time, 4 Nov. 2022 And lymphatic drainage works by moving fluids, known as lymph, under the skin to various lymph nodes where it’s returned to the body’s cardiovascular system, reducing swelling in the face and other parts of the body. —

Kristine Gill, Fortune Well, 1 Apr. 2023 It was originally developed in the early 1930s by Emil Vodder, a Danish massage therapist who theorized, after noting swollen lymph nodes in sick patients, that massage might mobilize fluid in the lymph system, helping the body eliminate toxins faster—and patients heal sooner. —

Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Jan. 2023 Various cancer treatment drugs Seagen's top seller, Adcetris, treats lymph system cancers. —

CBS News, 13 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lymph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin lympha, water goddess, water, perhaps modification of Greek nymphē nymph — more at nuptial

Combining form

New Latin lympha

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of lymph was circa 1673

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lymph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lymph. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

lymph

noun

ˈlim(p)f

: a usually clear fluid that circulates in lymphatic vessels, bathes the cells of the body, and consists of white blood cells and a liquid portion resembling blood plasma

Medical Definition

lymph

noun

ˈlim(p)f

: a usually clear coagulable fluid that passes from intercellular spaces of body tissue into the lymphatic vessels, is discharged into the blood by way of the thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct, and resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and especially lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets see chyle compare cerebrospinal fluid