node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)

b

: a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind

2

: an entangling complication (as in a drama) : predicament

3

: either of the two points where the orbit of a planet or comet intersects the ecliptic

also : either of the points at which the orbit of an earth satellite crosses the plane of the equator

4

a

: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body or system that is free or relatively free from vibratory motion

b

: a point at which a wave has an amplitude of zero

5

a

: a point at which subsidiary parts originate or center

b

: a point on a stem at which a leaf or leaves are inserted

c

: a point at which a curve intersects itself in such a manner that the branches have different tangents

d

: vertex sense 2b

Synonyms of node

• nodule
• swelling
• lump
• bump
• tumor

Examples of node in a Sentence

the doctor examined the node on my knee before deciding it was the result of arthritis

Recent Examples on the Web

Other areas like the Luzon Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines and the Philippine Sea could, in theory, be used by Japan’s stealthy submarines to launch standoff strikes against PLAN surface forces or coastal nodes. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025

Use it as an extender or mesh node with compatible TP-Link gear, and a handy signal indicator shows you where to plug it in. —PC Magazine, 30 Nov. 2025

To keep plants looking trim, cut boxwood branches back to a leaf node using sharp pruners. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025

Making a Choice Bernshteyn belongs to a group of librarians who sort problems about infinite sets of nodes connected by edges, called graphs. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin nodus knot, node; akin to Middle Irish naidm bond

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing node

• angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia
• atrioventricular node
• A-V node
• giant lymph node hyperplasia
• lymph node
• mucocutaneous lymph node disease
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
• node of Ranvier
• sinoatrial node
• sinus node

Rhymes for node

• blowed
• bode
• code
• crowed
• flowed
• glowed
• goad
• growed
• knowed
• load
• lode
• lowed

Kids Definition

node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a thickened or swollen enlargement (as of a joint with rheumatism)

b

: a mass of tissue in the body resembling a knot

2

: a point on a stem at which a leaf is inserted

Medical Definition

node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)

b

: a body part resembling a knot

especially : a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind see atrioventricular node, lymph node

2

: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body that is free or relatively free of vibratory motion