lymph

1 of 2

noun

ˈlim(p)f 

1

archaic : the sap of plants

2

[New Latin lympha, from Latin, water] : a usually clear coagulable fluid that passes from intercellular spaces of body tissue into the lymphatic vessels, is discharged into the blood by way of the thoracic duct, and resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and especially lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets

lymph-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or lympho-

: lymph : lymphatic tissue

lymphogranuloma

Examples of lymph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lymphocytes are the main cells that make up the lymph tissue, part of the immune system. —Doru Paul, Health, 7 Dec. 2024

This liquid, now called lymph, flows through your nodes, which, again, act as filters, trapping suspicious components and deploying an army of white blood cells against them. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024

Anything abnormal in your lymph—whether that’s bacteria, a virus, or something else—is subject to that screening process and immune response, which is why a variety of illnesses can cause swollen lymph nodes. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024

She was diagnosed with the condition — which causes swelling due to a buildup of lymph fluid in the body — after undergoing a double mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2012. —Brianne Tracy, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin lympha, water goddess, water, perhaps modification of Greek nymphē nymph — more at nuptial

Combining form

New Latin lympha

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lymph

• angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia
• giant lymph node hyperplasia
• lymph gland
• lymph node
• mucocutaneous lymph node disease
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome

Kids Definition

lymph

noun

ˈlim(p)f 

: a usually clear fluid that circulates in lymphatic vessels, bathes the cells of the body, and consists of white blood cells and a liquid portion resembling blood plasma

Medical Definition

lymph

noun

ˈlim(p)f 

: a usually clear coagulable fluid that passes from intercellular spaces of body tissue into the lymphatic vessels, is discharged into the blood by way of the thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct, and resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and especially lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets see chyle compare cerebrospinal fluid