hemorrhoid

American  

[hem-uh-roid, hem-roid] / ˈhɛm əˌrɔɪd, ˈhɛm rɔɪd /

noun

1. Pathology. Usually hemorrhoids an abnormally enlarged vein mainly due to a persistent increase in venous pressure, occurring inside the anal sphincter of the rectum and beneath the mucous membrane internal hemorrhoid or outside the anal sphincter and beneath the surface of the anal skin external hemorrhoid.

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Other Word Forms

• hemorrhoidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of hemorrhoid

1350–1400; Middle English emoroides (plural) < Latin haemorrhoid ( a ) < Greek haimorroḯda (adj.) discharging blood

Example Sentences

After adjusting for factors that could influence hemorrhoid risk, including age, exercise habits, and fiber intake, the researchers found a clear difference.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

Of the need for a hemorrhoid rebrand, Davidson joked: “Hemorrhoids sound like something your grandpa complains about while watching the Game Show Network.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

The scientific literature on the issue, however, is scant—just a few studies, the largest of which relied on hemorrhoid self-reporting rather than evaluations, which makes the results less reliable.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2025

James Ivory took a nap in Hugh’s hotel room and accidentally used his hemorrhoid cream to brush his teeth instead of the toothpaste.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2024

All of the circulatory vessels, especially the smaller ones, become enlarged, varicose; and an aggregation of varicosed vessels forms a tumor called a pile or hemorrhoid.

From Intestinal Ills Chronic Constipation, Indigestion, Autogenetic Poisons, Diarrhea, Piles, Etc. Also Auto-Infection, Auto-Intoxication, Anemia, Emaciation, Etc. Due to Proctitis and Colitis by Jamison, Alcinous B. (Alcinous Burton)