tonsil

American  

[ton-suhl] / ˈtɒn səl /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a prominent oval mass of lymphoid tissue on each side of the throat.

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tonsil British  

/ ˈtɒnsəl /

noun

1. Also called: palatine tonsil.  either of two small masses of lymphatic tissue situated one on each side of the back of the mouth

2. anatomy any small rounded mass of tissue, esp lymphatic tissue

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Usage

What are tonsil stones? Tonsil stones are small yellow or white lumps embedded in the tonsils. They result from bacterial or fungal build-up that forms into a nasty-smelling—but generally—harmless mass.How do you pronounce tonsil stones?[ ton-suh l stohnz ]

Other Word Forms

• tonsilar adjective
• tonsillar adjective
• tonsillary adjective

Etymology

Origin of tonsil

First recorded in 1595–1605, tonsil is from the Latin word tōnsillae (plural) the tonsils

Example Sentences

About £6m was spent in a single year on removing patients' tonsils.

From BBC

She had a four-octave vocal range and the ability to perform everything from Schoenberg to a Spike Milligan hit about a man with too many tonsils.

From BBC

The most common procedures are the insertion of grommets in the ears, removal of tonsils and adenoids, and orthopaedic surgery.

From BBC

He said “there is also the possibility that virus could enter via the tonsils in the pharynx of the cats prior to ingestion in both the bird consumption and milk consumption scenarios.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was the same word used by Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert when in 2022 he found himself sitting in front of the consultant oncologist after being diagnosed with throat, neck, tongue and tonsil cancer.

From BBC