adenoids

/ (ˈædɪˌnɔɪdz) /


pl n
  1. a mass of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat behind the uvula: when enlarged it often restricts nasal breathing, esp in young children: Technical name: pharyngeal tonsil

Words Nearby adenoids

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use adenoids in a sentence

Scientific definitions for adenoids

adenoids

[ ădn-oidz′ ]


  1. The small mass of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nasal cavity. Swelling of the adenoids can block breathing through the nose.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for adenoids

adenoids

[ (ad-n-oydz, ad-noydz) ]


Two masses of tissue at the junction of the nose and throat, which, like the tonsils, function in the lymphatic system. They help filter out harmful microorganisms that can cause infection. Continually swollen adenoids may interfere with breathing and affect speech.

Notes for adenoids

Adenoids are sometimes surgically removed along with the tonsils if they are persistently inflamed (see inflammation).

Notes for adenoids

Swollen adenoids give a distinctive nasal sound to the voice.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.