tumor

noun

tu·​mor ˈtü-mər 

ˈtyü-

1

: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation

called also neoplasm

2

: a swollen or distended part

… houses that bulged with the tumors and warts of … ornamental architecture …

—W. A. White

tumoral

ˈtü-mə-rəl 

ˈtyü-

adjective

tumorlike

ˈtü-mər-ˌlīk 

ˈtyü-

adjective

Synonyms

• excrescence
• excrescency
• growth
• lump
• neoplasm

Examples of tumor in a Sentence

the scan showed a small tumor in her abdomen

Recent Examples on the Web

In a new interview with Rolling Stone UK, the 74-year-old metal icon reveals that a tumor was discovered in one of his vertebrae during a fourth spinal surgery. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2023

First would be eight rounds of neoadjuvant chemotherapy over about four months, before surgical extraction of the tumor. —Paige Stables, Allure, 22 Nov. 2023

Eva Hesse of a brain tumor at age 34, Hannah Wilke of lymphoma at 52, Helen Chadwick of a heart attack at 42. —Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023

Because there were many critical organs near Salim’s tumor, the damage could be severe, causing loss of hearing, diminished sense of taste and smell, and brain impairment, like memory loss. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 7 Nov. 2023

While more studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms, preliminary findings indicate that CBD oil may have a positive impact on tumor regression. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2023

New American Cancer Society guidelines will allow millions more to become eligible for regular scans that can detect tumors early enough to save lives. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023

The victims of breast tumors are largely females, but about 0.5 to 1 percent of breast cancers affect men, for whom breast cancer is a little different. —Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023

Typically, the values will creep up on repeat testing until a tumor eventually appears on a scan. —Mara Buchbinder, STAT, 29 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English tumour, from Latin tumor, from tumēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing tumor

• tumor load
• tumor necrosis factor
• tumor suppressor gene
• anti-tumor

• tumor load
• tumor necrosis factor
• tumor suppressor gene
• anti-tumor

Kids Definition

tumor

noun

tu·​mor ˈt(y)ü-mər 

: an abnormal mass of tissue that arises from normal tissue cells and serves no useful purpose in the body

tumorous

ˈt(y)üm-(ə-)rəs

adjective

Medical Definition

tumor

noun

tu·​mor

variants or chiefly British tumour

ˈt(y)ü-mər 

: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation see cancer sense 1, carcinoma, sarcoma

tumorlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective