polyp

noun pol·yp \ ˈpä-ləp \

|Updated on: 28 Jun 2018

Definition of polyp

1 : a coelenterate (such as a coral) that has typically 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)

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polypoid

play \ˈpä-lə-ˌpȯid\ adjective

See polyp defined for English-language learners

See polyp defined for kids

Recent Examples of polyp from the Web

In June 1998, when doctors removed a benign polyp from outfielder Bobby Bonilla’s large intestine, Lasorda advocated for promoting Beltre.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "To Dodgers, Adrian Beltre is the Hall of Famer who got away," 12 June 2018
The same protection does not exist for Medicare beneficiaries, who will owe money if a polyp is removed during their colonoscopy.

— sarah gantz, Philly.com, "Patient beware: Insurance covers colonoscopies in full - except when it doesn't," 20 Apr. 2018
Coral colonies are made up of soft-bodied animals called polyps, which (with the help of symbiotic algae) secrete thin layers of the mineral calcium carbonate.

— elizabeth svoboda, Scientific American, "Cores from Coral Reefs Hold Secrets of the Seas’ Past and Future," 6 June 2018
It is called bleaching and involves the tiny animals, known as polyps, which are the living part of a reef, ejecting their symbiotic algae.

— The Economist, "Australia’s coral barrier reef keeps dying and coming back," 31 May 2018
Factors that put you at higher-than-average risk include a strong personal or family history of colorectal cancer or some types of polyps, as well as previously being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "Colorectal Cancer Screenings Should Start at 45, New American Cancer Society Guidelines Say," 30 May 2018
Over the past two decades, the incidence of colorectal cancer has declined steadily among people older than 54, largely because screening has increased, allowing the identification and removal of polyps that can become malignant.

— author: laurie mcginley, Anchorage Daily News, "Colorectal cancer screening should start at age 45, American Cancer Society says," 30 May 2018
Sandy Beaches In and of themselves, coral reefs are extraordinary living structures: vast calcite scaffolds constructed by billions of tiny polyps.

— National Geographic, "6 Amazing Structures Built by Surprising Creatures," 7 May 2018
Nearly 24 years later, Dominick was scheduled to get a colonoscopy, a procedure used to detect polyps in the gastrointestinal lining.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "'Go on, do the test,': A colon cancer survivor urges others to get screened," 19 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of polyp

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1742

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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POLYP Defined for English Language Learners

polyp

noun

Definition of polyp for English Language Learners

medical : a small lump that grows inside your body (such as inside your colon or on your vocal cords)
: a small sea animal (such as a coral) that has a body shaped like a tube

POLYP Defined for Kids

polyp

noun pol·yp \ ˈpä-ləp \

Definition of polyp for Students

: a small sea animal (as a coral) having a tubelike body closed and attached to something (as a rock) at one end and opening at the other with a mouth surrounded by tentacles