tonsil
noun
ton·sil
ˈtän(t)-səl 
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
Examples of tonsil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our body's nervous system is controlled solely by the brain; the immune system involves the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes and skin.
—
Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Some of the most common strep throat symptoms include pain, fever, swollen tonsils, and tiny spots at the roof of the mouth called petechiae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2023
Like a moth caressing an undead loverboy's tonsils, the nostalgic charms of Disney's Hocus Pocus have long fluttered inside the hearts of millennials raised on the tale.
—EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, located in the back of the throat, and septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure that raises the risk of death, according to The Mayo Clinic.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024
Two of Fleury's three children — the other was recovering from tonsil surgery — greeted him at his stall in the Wild locker room afterward.
—Dave Campbell, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024
The investigators randomly assigned half of the children with these issues to have their tonsils and adenoids removed, and the other half to undergo ‘watchful waiting’ over a 12 month period.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
The study was a randomized clinical trial of over 400 children with large tonsils and adenoids causing snoring and breathing issues during sleep.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Ness revealed his tonsil cancer diagnosis in June, and shared an update on Instagram in September.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2023
Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Some of the most common strep throat symptoms include pain, fever, swollen tonsils, and tiny spots at the roof of the mouth called petechiae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2023
Like a moth caressing an undead loverboy's tonsils, the nostalgic charms of Disney's Hocus Pocus have long fluttered inside the hearts of millennials raised on the tale.
—EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, located in the back of the throat, and septic shock is a severe drop in blood pressure that raises the risk of death, according to The Mayo Clinic.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024
Two of Fleury's three children — the other was recovering from tonsil surgery — greeted him at his stall in the Wild locker room afterward.
—Dave Campbell, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024
The investigators randomly assigned half of the children with these issues to have their tonsils and adenoids removed, and the other half to undergo ‘watchful waiting’ over a 12 month period.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
The study was a randomized clinical trial of over 400 children with large tonsils and adenoids causing snoring and breathing issues during sleep.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Ness revealed his tonsil cancer diagnosis in June, and shared an update on Instagram in September.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tonsil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tonsil
Cite this Entry
“Tonsil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonsil. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tonsil
noun
ton·sil
ˈtän(t)-səl
: either of a pair of oval-shaped masses of spongy tissue that lie one on each side of the throat at the back of the mouth
Medical Definition
tonsil
noun
ton·sil
ˈtän(t)-səl
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
c
2
: a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum
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