node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)

b

: a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind

2

: an entangling complication (as in a drama) : predicament

3

: either of the two points where the orbit of a planet or comet intersects the ecliptic

also : either of the points at which the orbit of an earth satellite crosses the plane of the equator

4

a

: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body or system that is free or relatively free from vibratory motion

b

: a point at which a wave has an amplitude of zero

5

a

: a point at which subsidiary parts originate or center

b

: a point on a stem at which a leaf or leaves are inserted

c

: a point at which a curve intersects itself in such a manner that the branches have different tangents

d

: vertex sense 2b

Synonyms

• bump
• knot
• lump
• nodule
• swelling

Examples of node in a Sentence

the doctor examined the node on my knee before deciding it was the result of arthritis

Recent Examples on the Web

Before, setting up a node required an upfront payment of 2,000 AVAX, a hefty sum at $48 per token as of December 11. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Oklahoma, Louisiana, Montana and Arkansas have passed laws to protect the right to mine, right to self-custody, right to run a node, and the right to peer-to-peer transactions. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024

The 11 Best Seed-Starting Soil Mixes of 2024 From Cuttings Snip a 6- to 8-inch section of a leafy branch in late summer, making the cut just below a node (where leaves connect to the stem). —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024

These systems comprise several networking components: a main router, which connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, that get placed throughout your house. —PCMAG, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin nodus knot, node; akin to Middle Irish naidm bond

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing node

• angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia
• atrioventricular node
• A-V node
• giant lymph node hyperplasia
• lymph node
• mucocutaneous lymph node disease
• mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
• node of Ranvier
• sinoatrial node
• sinus node

Kids Definition

node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a thickened or swollen enlargement (as of a joint with rheumatism)

b

: a mass of tissue in the body resembling a knot

2

: a point on a stem at which a leaf is inserted

Medical Definition

node

noun

ˈnōd 

1

a

: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint)

b

: a body part resembling a knot

especially : a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind see atrioventricular node, lymph node

2

: a point, line, or surface of a vibrating body that is free or relatively free of vibratory motion