gynecomastia

noun

gy·​neco·​mas·​tia ˌgī-nə-kō-ˈma-stē-ə 

: excessive development of the breast in the male

Examples of gynecomastia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The human body can respond to these naturally occurring hormonal differences in a variety of ways; for example, during male puberty, many kids will have a temporary enlargement of their breast tissue, known as pubertal gynecomastia, in response to swelling hormones. —Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

In 2007, there was a small case series published in the New England Journal of Medicine linking gynecomastia — an enlargement of breast tissue — in young boys to exposure to tea tree and lavender essential oils. —Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

It shouldn’t be prescribed to men for acne, because at these high doses, can cause gynecomastia, or enlargement of breast tissue in men, Barbieri said. —Marina Kopf, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

That includes breast reductions for young men with gynecomastia, or overgrowth of breast tissue. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 30 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

gyneco- + Greek mastós "breast" + -ia entry 1, probably after French gynécomastie or German Gynaecomastie or Gynecomastie — more at mastoid entry 1

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

gynecomastia

noun

gy·​ne·​co·​mas·​tia

variants or chiefly British gynaecomastia

ˈgī-nə-kō-ˈmas-tē-ə  ˈjin-ə- 

: excessive development of the breast in the male