tumor

American  

[too-mer, tyoo-] / ˈtu mər, ˈtyu- /

especially British, tumour

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.

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tumor Scientific  

/ to̅o̅′mər /

1. See neoplasm See Note at cancer

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tumor Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of tumor

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

Example Sentences

The research shows that exercise sends molecular signals through the bloodstream that influence genes controlling tumor growth and genetic stability.

From Science Daily

The biotech’s experimental drugs seek to block RAS, halting lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and other tumors in their tracks.

From The Wall Street Journal

This process targets tumor tissue while minimizing harm to nearby healthy cells.

From Science Daily

The research centers on a protein called MCL1, which is produced at unusually high levels in many types of tumors.

From Science Daily

In another, a patient reporting a headache was given a verbose response that said the patient could have anything from something minor to a brain tumor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• Cancer
• carcinoma
• cyst
• lump
• swelling