tonsil

[ton-suhl]

noun

Anatomy.

1. a prominent oval mass of lymphoid tissue on each side of the throat.

tonsil

/ ˈtɒnsəl /

noun

1. Also called: palatine tonsil. either of two small masses of lymphatic tissue situated one on each side of the back of the mouth

2. anatomy any small rounded mass of tissue, esp lymphatic tissue

Other Word Forms

• tonsillar adjective
• tonsilar adjective
• tonsillary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonsil¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, tonsil is from the Latin word tōnsillae (plural) the tonsils

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonsil¹

C17: from Latin tōnsillae (pl) tonsils, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

About £6m was spent in a single year on removing patients' tonsils.

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She had a four-octave vocal range and the ability to perform everything from Schoenberg to a Spike Milligan hit about a man with too many tonsils.

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The most common procedures are the insertion of grommets in the ears, removal of tonsils and adenoids, and orthopaedic surgery.

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He said “there is also the possibility that virus could enter via the tonsils in the pharynx of the cats prior to ingestion in both the bird consumption and milk consumption scenarios.”

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It was the same word used by Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert when in 2022 he found himself sitting in front of the consultant oncologist after being diagnosed with throat, neck, tongue and tonsil cancer.

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When To Use

What are tonsil stones?

Tonsil stones are small yellow or white lumps embedded in the tonsils. They result from bacterial or fungal build-up that forms into a nasty-smelling—but generally—harmless mass.How do you pronounce tonsil stones?[ ton-suh l stohnz ]