goiter

American  

[goi-ter] / ˈgɔɪ tər /

especially British, goitre

noun

Pathology.

1. an enlargement of the thyroid gland on the front and sides of the neck, usually symptomatic of abnormal thyroid secretion, especially hypothyroidism due to a lack of iodine in the diet.

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goiter Scientific  

/ goi′tər /

1. An enlarged thyroid gland, visible as a swelling at the front of the neck. It is often associated with thyroid disease, especially in areas of the world outside of North America where iodine deficiency is endemic.

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Etymology

Origin of goiter

1615–25; < French goitre ≪ Latin guttur throat

Explanation

A goiter is an unusually enlarged thyroid gland that results in a protusion on the neck. If you've ever seen someone with a large growth on their neck, it may have been a goiter. Goiters are a result of the thyroid gland producing too much or too little hormone. Goiters can also develop because you're not getting enough iodine in your diet. A goiter can be small, but it can also become extremely large and unsightly. If you even think you're getting a goiter, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

Example Sentences

This interference can increase the risk of developing goiter, a condition linked to multiple health complications.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

I once watched him spend an entire bus ride diagnosing a fellow passenger’s goiter and then offering her advice about which kind of doctor she should consult.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Hector V.: Iodine was originally added to salt to reduce the incidence of a goiter.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2021

While it was obvious to the touch, and I didn't have a goiter, someone had put his hand on it and said, "Oh dude, yeah, wow. You might want to have that looked at."

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2021

His legs were already spindly and his taut, distended belly, like his tiny mother’s goiter, was completely at odds with the rest of his thin, narrow body and alert face.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy