tonsil

noun

ton·​sil ˈtän(t)-səl 

1

: either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces

2

: any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (such as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils

tonsillar

ˈtän(t)-s(ə-)lər 

adjective

Examples of tonsil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Around 1-5% of children have sleep apnea, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. —Maria Sokolina, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

This happens when the fungus Candida, which is a normal microbe that lives in your mouth, overgrows and sometimes causes cottage-cheese like patches to spring up on your tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, or roof of your mouth. —Katie Camero, SELF, 27 Nov. 2024

Quit Smoking Smoking irritates your tonsils and causes inflammation, which can encourage the formation of tonsil stones. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Jones also accompanied the man to his daughter’s doctor appointment Monday, where the child was getting her tonsils out. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin tonsillae, plural, tonsils

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tonsil

noun

ton·​sil ˈtän(t)-səl 

: either of a pair of oval-shaped masses of spongy tissue that lie one on each side of the throat at the back of the mouth

Medical Definition

tonsil

noun

ton·​sil ˈtän(t)-səl 

1

a

: either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces and are composed of lymph follicles grouped around one or more deep crypts and except for the exposed surface which is covered only by epithelium are surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue in a fibrous capsule

called also palatine tonsil

b

: pharyngeal tonsil

c

: lingual tonsil

2

: a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum