cyst

1 of 3

noun

1
: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body
2
: a body resembling a cyst: such as
a
: a resting spore of many algae
b
: the air bladder of certain algae or aquatic plants (such as rockweed)
c
: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage
also : this capsule with its contents
d
: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host

cyst-

2 of 3

combining form

variants or cysti- or cysto-
: bladder
cystitis
: sac
cystocarp

-cyst

3 of 3

noun combining form

: bladder : sac
blastocyst

Examples of cyst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
But that was foisted on the 6-foot-1 guard anyway after a bone cyst was found on his left femur in the fall. Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The ultrasound revealed a cyst on my ovary that the doctor said needed to be removed right away. Katrina Martin, Health, 4 Mar. 2025 Branchial cleft cysts are sacs filled with fluid found in the neck and can appear as lumps or swelling under the skin. Matias Grez, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 Branchial cleft cysts are small sacs filled with fluid that look like lumps under the skin on the side of the neck, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cyst

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin cystis, from Greek kystis bladder, pouch; akin to Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts — more at wheeze

Combining form

French, from Greek kyst-, kysto-, from kystis

Noun combining form

New Latin -cystis, from Greek kystis

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyst was circa 1723

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Cyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyst. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cyst

noun
1
: a closed pouch or sac of fluid or solid material that develops in the body in some diseased conditions
2
: a covering resembling a cyst or a body (as a spore) with such a covering
cystic
ˈsis-tik
adjective

Medical Definition

cyst

noun
1
: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a body cavity or structure
2
: a body resembling a cyst: as
a
: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage
also : this capsule with its contents
b
: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host compare hydatid sense 2a

More from Merriam-Webster on cyst

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