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

Interestingly, the study did not find a connection between straining during bowel movements and hemorrhoid risk, which differs from conclusions drawn in some earlier studies.

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

California health officials are warning the public about a Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment that is laced with a “highly dangerous amount of lead” and has killed a Sacramento woman.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

It's like the medical disclaimers at the end of a hemorrhoid cream commercial, just it's so fast.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2023

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)