tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈtü-bər-kəl 

ˈtyü-

1

: a small knobby prominence or excrescence especially on a plant or animal : nodule: such as

a

: a protuberance near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra

b

: any of several prominences in the central nervous system

c

: nodule sense b

2

: a small abnormal discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin

especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis

Examples of tubercle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Williams informed Daver and Guy, who independently confirmed the existence of this femoral tubercle. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 2 Jan. 2026

Still, months later, a quote tweet will appear at intervals highlighting a necklace, tubercle, or ice cube tray lurking in the deep space of the photo. — Paul McAdory, Them., 9 Dec. 2025

This frog is easily recognized by the long tubercles on the sides of its body. — Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Inspired by the tubercles on the humpback whale's flippers, BlueNav's Whale Design propeller uses a series of bumps along the edge meant to channel water in such a way that increases thrust and improves efficiency. — New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2025

Well, Montgomery tubercles can appear a lot like those bumps. — Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 26 May 2023

This suggests the glowing tubercle patterns are some sort of signal. — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin tuberculum, diminutive of tuber

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tubercle

• tubercle bacillus

Rhymes for tubercle

• cercle
• circle
• encircle
• preopercle
• semicircle

Kids Definition

tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl 

1

: a small knobby lump or outgrowth especially on a plant or animal

2

: a small diseased growth in an organ or on the skin

especially : one caused by tuberculosis

Medical Definition

tubercle

noun

tu·​ber·​cle ˈt(y)ü-bər-kəl 

1

: a small knobby prominence or excrescence: as

a

: a prominence on the crown of a molar tooth

b

: a small rough prominence (as the greater tubercle or adductor tubercle) on a bone usually being smaller than a tuberosity and serving for the attachment of one or more muscles or ligaments

c

: an eminence near the head of a rib that articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra

d

: any of several prominences (as the acoustic tubercle) in the central nervous system that mark the nuclei of various nerves

2

: a small discrete lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin

especially : the specific lesion of tuberculosis consisting of a packed mass of epithelioid cells, giant cells, disintegration products of white blood cells and bacilli, and usually a necrotic center