thyroid

American  

[thahy-roid] / ˈθaɪ rɔɪd /

adjective

1. of or relating to the thyroid gland.

2. of or relating to the largest cartilage of the larynx, forming the projection known in humans as the Adam's apple.

---

noun

• thyroids
  plural

1. thyroid gland.

2. the thyroid cartilage.

3. an artery, vein, etc., in the thyroid region.

4. Medicine/Medical. a preparation made from the thyroid glands of certain animals, used in treating hypothyroid conditions.

thyroid British  

/ ˈθaɪrɔɪd /

adjective

1. of or relating to the thyroid gland

2. of or relating to the largest cartilage of the larynx

---

noun

1. See thyroid gland

2. Also: thyroid extract. the powdered preparation made from the thyroid gland of certain animals, used to treat hypothyroidism

thyroid Cultural  

1. A large gland in the neck that functions in the endocrine system. The thyroid secretes hormones that regulate growth and metabolism.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antithyroid
  adjective
• postthyroidal
  adjective
• prethyroid
  adjective
• thyroidal
  adjective
• thyroidless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• thyroids
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of thyroid

1685–95; variant of thyreoid < Greek thyreoeidḗs shield-shaped, equivalent to thyre ( ós ) oblong shield (literally, doorlike object, equivalent to thýr ( a ) door + -eos adj. suffix) + -oeidēs -oid

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thyroid thyroids

Liberal Democrat Anna Sabine lost her voice for several months following a thyroid operation in June, which cut one of the nerves to her vocal cords, leaving her with a condition called vocal cord paralysis.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

The second influence comes from thyroid hormones, which are best known for regulating metabolism but also have crucial roles in growth and development.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

“Conditions such as depression, lack of sleep, a low-functioning thyroid, and vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to memory loss that mimic the early stages of dementia,” Tan writes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

She said she’s had patients find out about previously unknown thyroid disorders and kidney dysfunction during pre-ops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Horace Whaley’s eyes bulged—his thyroid gland was overactive—and swam, too, behind his spectacles.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

After I discovered it was a thyroid problem, I went to a doctor who specialized in thyroids.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2022

And that her thyroids earn a standing ovation from the entire veterinary clinic.

From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2019

Iodine is key to the functioning of your thyroids, and while you can get it from other sources, salt was iodized because we weren't getting enough of it.

From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2017

Government scientists, drawing on data from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, used to visit schools to check thyroids and radioactivity levels, recalled Peterson, another advocate.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 6, 2015

Of course, the radioactive strontium they ate was concentrated in their bones, and the radioactive iodine was concentrated in their thyroids.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---