tonsil

noun ton·sil \ ˈtän(t)-səl \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

—

tonsillar

play \ˈtän(t)-s(ə-)lər\ adjective

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Recent Examples of tonsil from the Web

It has frequently been used for pain relief after removal of tonsils and adenoids in children.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "FDA head calls for mandatory education, internet policing to fight opioid crisis," 4 Apr. 2018
No such screening test exists for oropharyngeal sites the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, the throat behind the nasal cavity and symptoms usually don't appear until cancer is advanced.

— marie mccullough, chicagotribune.com, "HPV is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses," 12 Mar. 2018
Though the bacteria typically live in the animals’ tonsils, this weather seemed to have somehow triggered their sudden migration to the creatures’ guts, Steph Yin reports for the New York Times.

— mika mckinnon, Smithsonian, "Over 200,000 Endangered Antelope Suddenly Die Thanks to … Weird Weather?," 18 Jan. 2018
An ear, nose and throat doctor found swollen tonsils and fluid in Riley’s ears.

— jocelyn wiener, sacbee, "What’s wrong with my child? California has a problem in easing parents’ fears," 15 Jan. 2018
In 2013, the FDA warned doctors not to give codeine to children after having their tonsils out.

— maggie fox, NBC News, "Keep these cough medicines away from kids, FDA says," 11 Jan. 2018
In fact — and no huge surprise here — there's an entire Reddit community, aptly named r/tonsilstones, that is dedicated to tonsil stone removal content.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Tonsil Stone Removal Videos Are Taking Over the Internet," 19 Oct. 2017
This condition is common in those who are obese, but anyone can have obstructive sleep apnea, including children with enlarged tonsils.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "Undiagnosed sleep apnea caused 2 NYC train crashes. Could you have sleep apnea, too?," 22 Sep. 2017
Cancers of this variety appear at the base of the tongue, back of the throat, or tonsils.

— keshia hannam, Fortune, "This Study Reveals Oral Sex May Give You Cancer," 20 Oct. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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TONSIL Defined for English Language Learners

tonsil

noun

Definition of tonsil for English Language Learners

: either one of the pair of round, soft parts on the inside of your throat

TONSIL Defined for Kids

tonsil

noun ton·sil \ ˈtän-səl \

Definition of tonsil for Students

: either of a pair of masses of spongy tissue at the back of the mouth

Medical Dictionary

tonsil

noun ton·sil \ ˈtän(t)-səl \

medical Definition of tonsil

1 a : 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 tonsil

b : pharyngeal tonsil

c : lingual tonsil

2 : a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum

Learn More about tonsil

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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tonsil

Definition of tonsil

tonsillar

Recent Examples of tonsil from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tonsil

TONSIL Defined for English Language Learners

tonsil

Definition of tonsil for English Language Learners

TONSIL Defined for Kids

tonsil

Definition of tonsil for Students

Medical Dictionary

tonsil

medical Definition of tonsil

Learn More about tonsil

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tonsil

Definition of tonsil

tonsillar

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Origin and Etymology of tonsil

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TONSIL Defined for English Language Learners

tonsil

Definition of tonsil for English Language Learners

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tonsil

Definition of tonsil for Students

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tonsil

medical Definition of tonsil

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