SINCE 1828
pterygium
noun
pte·ryg·i·um
| \ te-ˈri-jē-əm
\
\
plural pterygia\ te-ˈri-jē-ə
\
also pterygiums
\
also pterygiums
Definition of pterygium
: a fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva that grows over part of the cornea usually from the inner side of the eyeball and causes a disturbance of vision
Examples of pterygium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Ultraviolet rays may play a role in the development of cataracts as well as growths on the surface of the eye called pterygiums, which can impede your vision. — Amanda Gardner, Health.com, "Why Those Tiny Sunglasses Celebs Love Aren't Actually Good for Your Eyes," 13 June 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018 Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium. — Jill U. Adams, courant.com, "For Your Eyes: Sunglasses Even On A Cloudy Day," 31 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pterygium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for pterygium
pterygium
noun
pte·ryg·i·um
| \ te-ˈrij-ē-əm
\
\
plural -iums
or -ia\ -ē-ə
\
\
Medical Definition of pterygium
1
: a triangular fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva occurring usually at the inner side of the eyeball, covering part of the cornea, and causing a disturbance of vision
2
: a forward growth of the cuticle over the nail
Comments on pterygium
What made you want to look up pterygium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What did you just call me?! A Quiz
-
- If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share pterygium
Resources for pterygium