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canker sore
noun
: a painful shallow ulcer of the mouth that has a grayish-white base surrounded by a reddish inflamed area and is of uncertain cause but is not due to the virus causing herpes simplex compare cold sore
Examples of canker sore in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trimming back your tree can also help prevent the spread of disease—cut back branches with canker sores on them about five inches below the sore.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
Researchers aren't exactly sure what causes canker sores, but autoimmune disorders, stress, and certain acidic foods can trigger them.3
A canker sore is a recurrent condition that has periods of flares (where symptoms are active) and periods of remission (where symptoms are not active).
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Aug. 2024
These range from more benign causes, such as gingivitis or canker sores, to more serious conditions, like oral cancer.1
White gums can be common, as about one in four people experience canker sores, while gingivitis affects 20-50% of the global population.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Aug. 2024
Most canker sores are minor and clear up on their own within two weeks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
Usually, though, canker sores are nothing more than super annoying yet normal nuisances many of us deal with every now and then.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Mar. 2024
People sensitive to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), another common ingredient in toothpaste, can produce canker sores and skin peeling inside the mouth when exposed to it for a prolonged time.
—Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024
According to the National Library of Medicine, berberine can also be used for burns, canker sores, liver disease, and many other conditions.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 8 June 2023
Symptoms of celiac disease include cramping, amenorrhea, bloating, brain fog, canker sores, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, infertility, headaches and rash, among others.
—Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1596, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near canker sore
Cite this Entry
“Canker sore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canker%20sore. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
canker sore
noun
: a small painful open sore especially of the mouth
Medical Definition
canker sore
noun
: a small painful ulcer especially of the mouth
especially
: a painful shallow ulceration of the oral mucous membranes that has a grayish-white base surrounded by a reddish inflamed area and is characteristic of aphthous stomatitis compare cold sore
More from Merriam-Webster on canker sore
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canker sore
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