nodule

noun nod·ule \ ˈnä-(ˌ)jül \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: nodule in a Sentence

Definition of nodule

: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: such as

a : a small rounded lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate

b : a swelling on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria

c : a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (such as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)

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See nodule defined for kids

Examples of nodule in a Sentence

The examination revealed a nodule on his lung.
a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there

Recent Examples of nodule from the Web

Many plants are equally dependent on microbes: peas, clover, soy, and beans have nodules on their roots that host bacteria, fixing nitrogen from the air in the plant.

— jason pontin, WIRED, "The 19th-Century Crank Who Tried to Tell Us About the Microbiome," 15 June 2018
The plants build specialized structures on their roots called nodules to house and feed the bacteria, which in turn fix nitrogen for the plants and assure them a steady supply of ammonia.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Plants repeatedly got rid of their ability to obtain their own nitrogen," 27 May 2018
The Pacific’s mineral nodules were discovered by HMS Challenger, a British research vessel that first dredged the abyssal depths in the 1870s.

— The Economist, "Undersea miningRace to the bottom," 8 Mar. 2018
This treatment promotes the formation of root nodules, which contain beneficial bacteria that convert the nitrogen in the air into a form usable by plants.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Growing Peas Has Never Been Easier Than This," 31 Mar. 2017
Last fall, Clauer was involved in a minor car accident; a precautionary CT scan revealed a nodule on her thyroid.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Despite a lung defect and a cancer diagnosis, this Arrowhead senior is trying to make life better for others," 16 May 2018
And on the seafloor, nodules of valuable metals such as manganese and iron have been discovered, and companies are looking for ways to recover them.

— the editors, Scientific American, "Without a Treaty to Share the Arctic, Greedy Countries Will Destroy It," 1 Dec. 2017
The claim was that his new ship, the Hughes Glomar Explorer, was seeking to recover manganese nodules from the seabed.

— michael richter, WSJ, "The Public Has a Right to Know, but There Are Limits," 5 Apr. 2018
Vocal abuse can create vocal nodules and sometimes irreversible voice damage.

— amy dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Granddaughter’s middle name leaves gram out," 20 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of nodule

Middle English, from Latin nodulus, diminutive of nodus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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nodule Synonyms

Synonyms

bump, knot, lump, node, swelling;

Related Words

growth, tumor, wart;

hump, hunch;

bruise, contusion, welt;

blister, boil;

blob, chunk, clod, clump, gob, gobbet, hunk, knob, nub, nubble, nugget, wad;

NODULE Defined for English Language Learners

nodule

noun

Definition of nodule for English Language Learners

: a small lump on a part of the body or on the root of a plant

NODULE Defined for Kids

nodule

noun nod·ule \ ˈnä-jül \

Definition of nodule for Students

: a small roundish lump or mass

Medical Dictionary

nodule

noun nod·ule \ ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l \

medical Definition of nodule

: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: as

a : a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)

b : the nodulus of the cerebellum

Learn More about nodule

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nodule Spanish Central: Translation of nodule Nglish: Translation of nodule for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nodule for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nodule

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nodule

Definition of nodule

Examples of nodule in a Sentence

Recent Examples of nodule from the Web

Origin and Etymology of nodule

nodule Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

NODULE Defined for English Language Learners

nodule

Definition of nodule for English Language Learners

NODULE Defined for Kids

nodule

Definition of nodule for Students

Medical Dictionary

nodule

medical Definition of nodule

Learn More about nodule

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