tonsil

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

Recent Examples on the Web He was scheduled for surgery to remove his tonsils in late February to help with his breathing issues. — Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Please don't kill me': Neighbors heard screams, called 911 on evening mother, children were last seen alive," 17 Feb. 2020 The fear clutches at the inside of my throat, pulling down my tonsils into my chest. — Ellyn Laub, sun-sentinel.com, "Beware bike attire hazards | Opinion," 21 Nov. 2019 Tonsillitis is, essentially, inflammation of the throat that affects your tonsils, the visible lumps of tissue on the left and right sides of the back of your throat, according to the US National Library of Medicine (USNLM). — Korin Miller, Health.com, "Miley Cyrus Has Been Hospitalized With Tonsillitis—Here's What You Need to Know About the Infection," 9 Oct. 2019 New research has also shed light on the value of our tonsils and adenoids. — Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, "Are All Our Organs Vital?," 1 Mar. 2019 The device has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for several procedures, including urological surgeries and tonsil removal. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "Health briefs: AdventHealth, arts center get grant for patient-caregiver study," 29 June 2019 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

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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Last Updated

25 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Tonsil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonsil. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

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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

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