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

They help control how genetic instructions in DNA are converted into proteins, assist in clearing away cellular waste that could otherwise become toxic, and can even play a role in suppressing tumor growth.

From Science Daily

According to Loeb, this is the first Western study to measure microplastic levels in prostate tumors and compare them directly with levels in noncancerous prostate tissue.

From Science Daily

One lead candidate is a prostate cancer drug called VIR-5500 that works by directing the body’s own immune cells to destroy tumor cells.

From Barron's

One lead candidate is a prostate cancer drug called VIR-5500 that works by directing the body’s own immune cells to destroy tumor cells.

From Barron's

"So, we are now colonizing that central space, and the bacterium is essentially ridding the body of the tumor."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• Cancer
• carcinoma
• cyst
• lump
• swelling