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lymph node

American  

noun

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


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

"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

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.


Etymology

Origin of lymph node

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

"She was also dehydrated and they thought it was a lymph node infection. They sent her home with antibiotics and some apple juice to drink."

From BBC • Jan. 26, 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

The research team plans to conduct additional laboratory studies to add more immune signaling molecules to the lymph node and recruit more of the host's immune cells to the artificial lymph node environment.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

One cannot avoid comparing the lymph node with a strong fortress thrown in the path of a victorious invading army behind which the defenders may gather and which affords them time to renovate their strength.

From Disease and Its Causes by Councilman, William Thomas