tumor

noun

tu·​mor ˈtü-mər How to pronounce tumor (audio)
ˈtyü-
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
tumoral adjective
tumorlike adjective

Examples of tumor in a Sentence

the scan showed a small tumor in her abdomen
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mustang Bio's pipeline focuses on CAR T therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, with ongoing collaborations with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and City of Hope. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 Dense breasts have more tissue and less fat, which makes reading mammograms more difficult as tissue and possible tumors both appear white in results, according to the American Cancer Society. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Stopping oral contraceptives can sometimes shrink or heal the tumor. Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024 Because of the sort of tumor her doctors suspected, the medical workup would require an injection of a chemical that would be deadly to the fetus. Essence, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tumor 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tumour, from Latin tumor, from tumēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tumor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tumor

Cite this Entry

“Tumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumor. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tumor

noun
tu·​mor ˈt(y)ü-mər How to pronounce tumor (audio)
: an abnormal mass of tissue that arises from normal tissue cells and serves no useful purpose in the body
tumorous
ˈt(y)üm-(ə-)rəs
adjective

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
tumorlike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on tumor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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