lymph node

American  

noun

lymph nodes plural

1. any of the glandlike masses of tissue in the lymphatic vessels containing cells that become lymphocytes.

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lymph node British  

noun

1. any of numerous bean-shaped masses of tissue, situated along the course of lymphatic vessels, that help to protect against infection by killing bacteria and neutralizing toxins and are the source of lymphocytes

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lymph node Scientific  

1. A bean-shaped mass of tissue found at intervals along the vessels of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes filter foreign substances from the blood.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lymph nodes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lymph node

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

After a biopsy of a lymph node in his neck showed cancer, Vitale underwent surgery in the summer of 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

In the decade that followed, Jones said, he underwent lung surgery twice and lymph node surgery two times as well.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

"And I'm like, 'oh, this lymph node is a little bit bigger'. And a couple of weeks later, it's still bigger."

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2025

To create the artificial lymph node, the scientists used hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing substance commonly used in cosmetics and lotions and found naturally in the body's skin and joints.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

That is, if somebody didn't crack up, or get lymph node swellings that wouldn't reduce, and if you didn't have to try to play nursemaid.

From The Planet Strappers by Gallun, Raymond Z.