tonsil

noun

ton·sil | \ ˈtän(t)-səl

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

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Examples of tonsil in a Sentence

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For bad swollen tonsils, physicians will use an oral steroid to shrink swelling in the throat, says Dr. Soren. — Yerin Kim, Seventeen, "Here Are All The Signs That You Might Have Mono AKA “The Kissing Disease”," 29 Nov. 2018 Your child can also show signs of severe fatigue, throat pain, pus around their tonsils, sore muscles and a loss of appetite. — Lindsay Carlton, Fox News, "Back-to-school germs 101: What you need to know," 7 Sep. 2018 Then head to your doctor, as bad breath could be a symptom of various medical conditions such as sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, gastric reflux, a tonsil infection, and even some liver or kidney diseases. — Samantha Lefave, Redbook, "Why You Should Never Ignore Sweet-Smelling Urine (or These Other Body Odors)," 3 Aug. 2018 Jahi’s case, which drew national attention and launched a debate over how to define death, began in December 2013 when the 13-year-old underwent a routine surgery to remove her tonsils, adenoids and uvula. — Alene Tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "Jahi McMath, girl at center of debate over brain death, dies, mother says," 29 June 2018 Symptoms of mononucleosis include a sore throat, enlarged tonsils, laryngitis, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, fever, head and body aches. — New York Times, "My Daughter Has Mono. Is the Whole Family at Risk?," 29 June 2018 Take James Alison Glover, a doctor, who noted that, by 1938, 83% of new boys at Eton, England’s poshest public school, had no tonsils (perhaps so the silver spoons could fit). — The Economist, "Hospitals are learning from industry how to cut medical errors," 28 June 2018 Jahi went into cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery to remove her tonsils, adenoids and uvula along with bony structures from her nose and throat and palate tissue. — CBS News, "Jahi McMath taken out of Oakland hospital in private ambulance, now in custody of mom," 6 Jan. 2014 Yet just 2% of Basque refugee children fleeing the Spanish civil war then raging had their tonsils out, and were no worse off for it. — The Economist, "Hospitals are learning from industry how to cut medical errors," 28 June 2018

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.

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6 May 2019

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Time Traveler for tonsil

The first known use of tonsil was in 1601

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More Definitions for tonsil

tonsil

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tonsil

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

See the full definition for tonsil in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tonsil

noun

ton·sil | \ ˈtän-səl

Kids Definition of tonsil

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

tonsil

noun

ton·sil | \ ˈtän(t)-səl

Medical 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 tonsil

b : pharyngeal tonsil

c : lingual tonsil

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