haemorrhoids

British  

/ ˈhɛməˌrɔɪdz /

plural noun

1. Nontechnical name: piles.  pathol swollen and twisted veins in the region of the anus and lower rectum, often painful and bleeding

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Other Word Forms

• haemorrhoidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of haemorrhoids

C14: from Latin haemorrhoidae (plural), from Greek, from haimorrhoos discharging blood, from haimo- _haemo- + rhein to flow

Example Sentences

Michael had developed stage 4 haemorrhoids - the most severe type - she said.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

Fraudsters posing as the young student sent a message to her father, saying she had a case of haemorrhoids that she was embarrassed to talk about.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2021

Of course, even if it does cut down on haemorrhoids and constipation for many people, this doesn’t make the Squatty Potty natural.

From The Guardian • Nov. 30, 2018

Untold millions suffer from haemorrhoids – in the US alone, some estimates run to 125 million – and millions more have related conditions such as colonic inflammation.

From The Guardian • Nov. 30, 2018

Another accident to which women in child-bed are subject is haemorrhoids or piles, occasioned through the great straining in bringing the child into the world.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle