Definition of tonsil
1 : either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces
2 : any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (such as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils
People Are Reading
Recent Examples of tonsil from the Web
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The group performed this cover again on SiriusXM months after Perrie had her tonsils taken out. 5.
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It has frequently been used for pain relief after removal of tonsils and adenoids in children.
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It has frequently been used for pain relief after removal of tonsils and adenoids in children.
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It has frequently been used for pain relief after removal of tonsils and adenoids in children.
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It has frequently been used for pain relief after removal of tonsils and adenoids in children.
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OK, that may be a bit dramatic, but Five Mile will have your heart pumping hard enough to bump into your tonsils.
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At the bottom, a slimy, eyeless head resembles a mix of wet lips and diseased tonsils.
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Selena Gomez and The Weeknd were spotted playing tonsil hockey Tuesday night at a Los Angeles hotspot.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tonsil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of tonsil
Latin tonsillae, plural, tonsils
TONSIL Defined for English Language Learners
tonsil
playDefinition of tonsil for English Language Learners
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: either one of the pair of round, soft parts on the inside of your throat
TONSIL Defined for Kids
tonsil
playDefinition of tonsil for Students
: either of a pair of masses of spongy tissue at the back of the mouth
Medical Dictionary
tonsil
playMedical Definition of tonsil
1a: either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces and are composed of lymph follicles grouped around one or more deep crypts and except for the exposed surface which is covered only by epithelium are surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue in a fibrous capsule—called also palatine tonsilb: pharyngeal tonsilc: lingual tonsil
2: a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum
Learn More about tonsil
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Spanish Central: Translation of tonsil Nglish: Translation of tonsil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tonsil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tonsil
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