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Definition of adenoids

adenoids

/ˈæd.ə.nɔɪdz/
ad · e · noids
Plural:adenoids
•
Adjective:adenoid
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adenoids Lexical Profile

adenoids Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mass of lymphatic tissue situated at the very back of the nasal cavity, above the roof of the mouth, which helps fight off infections in children and typically shrinks during adolescence.

Example

"The pediatrician recommended removing the child's enlarged adenoids to relieve his chronic nasal congestion and sleep apnea."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for adenoids

Word Nuance & Usage

Although anatomically a single mass of lymphatic tissue (the pharyngeal tonsil), the term is almost always used in the plural form 'adenoids' in everyday and clinical speech.

• Nearby Words

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adeline
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Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek adenoeides ('gland-like'), formed from aden ('gland') and eidos ('form' or 'shape').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Adenoids. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/adenoids
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