tumor

especially British, tu·mour

[too-mer, tyoo-]

noun

1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.

2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.

3. Archaic.

   1. inflated pride; haughtiness.

   2. pompous language; bombast.

tumor

1. See neoplasm See Note at cancer

tumor

1. An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer.

Other Word Forms

• tumorlike adjective
• tumorous adjective
• tumoral adjective
• antitumor adjective
• antitumoral adjective
• nontumorous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumor¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin: “a swelling, swollen state,” equivalent to tum(ēre) “to swell” + -or noun suffix ( -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

As a result, most patients are diagnosed only after the tumor has expanded to billions of cells, often spreading to nearby lymph nodes and causing noticeable symptoms.

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When the mice were systemically exposed to melanoma cells to mimic metastasis, none of the nanoparticle-vaccinated mice developed lung tumors, while every other mouse did.

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My younger sister died of a brain tumor.

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Rather than attacking tumors directly, this research points to a new generation of therapies that recharge the immune system itself.

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Most of these mistakes are harmless, but in rare cases they could contribute to tumor growth or other health issues.

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Related Words

• Cancer 
• carcinoma 
• cyst 
• lump 
• swelling