hemorrhoid

noun

hem·​or·​rhoid ˈhem-ˌrȯid  ˈhe-mə- 

: an abnormal mass of dilated and engorged blood vessels in swollen tissue that occurs internally in the anal canal or externally around the anus, that may be marked by bleeding, pain, or itching, and that when occurring internally often protrude through the outer sphincter of the anus and when occurring externally may lead to thrombosis

—usually used in plural

called also piles

Examples of hemorrhoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Treatable issues like hemorrhoids and stomach ulcers often lead to red-colored stool. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 5 Dec. 2024

By Jamie Friedlander Serrano October 21, 2024 10:58 AM EDT Somewhere between 60 and 70 million Americans have digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids. —Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024

Summary Anal cancer symptoms may initially be attributed to less serious conditions like hemorrhoids. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024

Common Symptoms Anal cancer symptoms may initially be mistaken for being caused by a less serious condition, such as hemorrhoids (swollen anal or rectal veins). —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English emeroides, plural, from Anglo-French emorroides, from Latin haemorrhoidae, from Greek haimorrhoides, from haimorrhoos flowing with blood, from haimo- hem- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hemorrhoid

noun

hem·​or·​rhoid ˈhem-(ə-)ˌrȯid 

1

: a swollen mass of veins located at or just within the anus

2

plural : the condition of a person who has hemorrhoids

called also piles

Medical Definition

hemorrhoid

noun

hem·​or·​rhoid

variants or chiefly British haemorrhoid

ˈhem-(ə-)ˌrȯid 

: an abnormal mass of dilated and engorged blood vessels in swollen tissue that occurs internally in the anal canal or externally around the anus, that may be marked by bleeding, pain, or itching, and that when occurring internally often protrude through the external anal sphincter and when occurring externally may lead to thrombosis

—usually used in plural

called also piles