tumor

especially British, tu·mour

[too-mer, tyoo-]

noun

1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.

2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.

3. Archaic.

   1. inflated pride; haughtiness.

   2. pompous language; bombast.

tumor

1. See neoplasm See Note at cancer

tumor

1. An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer.

Other Word Forms

• tumorlike adjective
• tumorous adjective
• tumoral adjective
• antitumor adjective
• antitumoral adjective
• nontumorous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumor¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin: “a swelling, swollen state,” equivalent to tum(ēre) “to swell” + -or noun suffix ( -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders said he had his bladder removed in May to address a cancerous tumor.

From Los Angeles Times

“Chuck Schuldiner of Death,” is about the influential death metal singer-guitarist who died from a brain tumor as he sought to bring new dimensions to his music.

From Los Angeles Times

Retired NBA player and former Harvard-Westlake star Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, the NBA said Thursday in a statement released on behalf of Collins and his family.

From Los Angeles Times

Othmane spoke with The Times this month about his July 13 arrest and subsequent 13-day detention in harsh conditions while suffering from a brain tumor.

From Los Angeles Times

A court-ordered brain scan revealed that the 71-year-old defendant had been suffering from a walnut-sized brain tumor, which defense attorneys were prepared to argue had affected his judgment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• Cancer 
• carcinoma 
• cyst 
• lump 
• swelling