polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpä-ləp 

1

: the sessile form of cnidarian (such as a coral or sea anemone) typically having a hollow cylindrical body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with nematocysts

2

: a growth projecting from a mucous membrane (as of the colon or vocal cords)

polypoid

ˈpä-lə-ˌpȯid 

adjective

Examples of polyp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But some people, Dr. Schon says, may also experience heavy bleeding with polyps. 3. —Ashley Abramson, SELF, 7 May 2025

Eating a 1 cup serving more than once a week shows the most benefit in reducing certain types of polyps and colon cancer.12 Decreasing the risk of diabetes: One study shows a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in adults who ate yogurt. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 May 2025

Rosenberg also used high-dimensional spatial imaging technology that allowed UConn researchers to develop a detailed view of cellular interactions present inside colon polyps that were removed during colonoscopy at the end of the walnut study. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025

Trump, 78, last summer had a colonoscopy and removal of a benign polyp, and at an unspecified date had cataracts removed. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French polype octopus, nasal polyp, from Old French polipe, from Latin polypus, from Greek polypous, from poly- + pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polyp

• dollop
• wallop

Kids Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: an invertebrate animal (as a sea anemone or a coral) that is a coelenterate having a hollow cylinder-shaped body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with minute stinging organs

Medical Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine)

called also polypus