tumor

noun tu·mor \ ˈtü-mər , ˈtyü- \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of tumor

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

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tumoral

play \-mə-rəl\ adjective

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tumorlike

play \-mər-ˌlīk\ adjective

See tumor defined for English-language learners

See tumor defined for kids

Examples of tumor in a Sentence

the scan showed a small tumor in her abdomen

Recent Examples of tumor from the Web

Lauren, a former Ben Davis soccer star who went on to a long career with the United States Women's National Team, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor during the pregnancy.

— dakota crawford, Indianapolis Star, "Jrue and Lauren Holiday's baby is the best thing about the 2018 NBA Playoffs," 6 May 2018
During his daughter’s ordeal in 2014, Still got home from a Bengals’ practice and saw a local television story about Lauren Hill, the Mount St. Joseph freshman who played basketball with an inoperable brain tumor.

— Washington Post, "Devon Still’s new career: trying to tackle childhood cancer," 4 May 2018
But Katie was diagnosed with a brain tumor about a year and a half ago, and her prognosis was not good.

— caitlin o'kane, CBS News, "8-year-old with brain tumor meets koalas, fulfills her wish," 25 Apr. 2018
Rebecca said she was diagnosed with a tumor in her bronchial tube, which led to the removal of her entire left lung.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "People Described Fat-Shaming By Doctors," 19 Apr. 2018
But also, about Holiday's wife, Lauren, who was diagnosed in 2016 with a brain tumor.

— john canzano, OregonLive.com, "Canzano: Trail Blazers fall into Jrue Holiday's playoff trap... is it Lillard Time yet?," 18 Apr. 2018
Quinn was diagnosed with a brain tumor while in high school.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "How the Miami Dolphins will use Robert Quinn (assuming he stays healthy) | Miami Herald," 4 Apr. 2018
Amelia's relationship with Owen hit an impasse, and the show excused away a decade of impulsive behavior with a brain tumor.

— lauren hoffman, Cosmopolitan, "Can Grey's Anatomy Survive the Latest Cast Shakeup?," 13 Mar. 2018
Amelia's 12-year-old singer with the brain tumor wants pot for her nausea, which is legal in Washington state.

— refinery29.com, "Grey's Anatomy Season 14, Episode 14 Recap: "Games People Play"," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tumor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tumor

Middle English tumour, from Latin tumor, from tumēre

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

tumor Synonyms

Synonyms

excrescence, growth, lump, neoplasm;

Related Words

outgrowth;

cancer, carcinoma, lymphoma, malignancy, melanoma, polyp;

cyst, tubercle, wart;

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

TUMOR Defined for English Language Learners

tumor

noun

Definition of tumor for English Language Learners

: a mass of tissue found in or on the body that is made up of abnormal cells

TUMOR Defined for Kids

tumor

noun tu·mor \ ˈtü-mər , ˈtyü- \

Definition of tumor for Students

: an abnormal growth of body tissue

Medical Dictionary

tumor

noun tu·mor

variants: or chiefly British tumour play \ˈt(y)ü-mər\

medical Definition of tumor

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

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