1
: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation
called also neoplasm
2
: a swollen or distended part
… houses that bulged with the tumors and warts of … ornamental architecture …—
W. A. White
W. A. White
Examples of tumor in a Sentence
the scan showed a small tumor in her abdomen
Recent Examples on the Web
The idea is to allow people to screen themselves for different types of cancers and tumors.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
In October of last year, the 20-year-old underwent an emergency surgery to remove a tumor in her cerebellum.
—EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Directing high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation directly at a tumor or tumors on the liver to destroy cancer cells
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
The prognosis and life expectancy for liver disease depend on the type and severity of the disease.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Oct. 2024
Sometimes for a cancer procedure that will help a grandmother with a throat tumor.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tumor 
Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
In October of last year, the 20-year-old underwent an emergency surgery to remove a tumor in her cerebellum.
—EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Directing high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation directly at a tumor or tumors on the liver to destroy cancer cells
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
The prognosis and life expectancy for liver disease depend on the type and severity of the disease.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Oct. 2024
Sometimes for a cancer procedure that will help a grandmother with a throat tumor.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tumor
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tumor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tumor
Cite this Entry
“Tumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumor. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tumor
noun
tu·mor
ˈt(y)ü-mər 
: an abnormal mass of tissue that arises from normal tissue cells and serves no useful purpose in the body
tumorous
adjective
ˈt(y)üm-(ə-)rəs
Medical Definition
tumor
noun
tu·mor
variants
or chiefly British tumour
: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation see cancer sense 1, carcinoma, sarcoma
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