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Definition of tonsil

tonsil

/ˈtɑːn.səl/
ton · sil
Plural:tonsils
•
Adjective:tonsillar
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tonsil Lexical Profile

tonsil Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Either of two small masses of lymphoid tissue located on each side of the back of the throat, or any of the other small masses of lymphoid tissue in the pharynx that help protect the respiratory and digestive tracts from infection.

Example

"The pediatrician used a wooden tongue depressor to examine the child's swollen tonsils."

2

A small, rounded lobule situated on the undersurface of each hemisphere of the cerebellum.

Example

"The MRI scan showed no abnormal pressure on the cerebellar tonsils at the base of the skull."

• Rhymes for tonsil

• Nearby Words

tonight
tonnage
tonne
tonsil
tonsillectomy
tonsillitis
tony

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century via French tonsille from Latin tonsillae ('the tonsils'), a diminutive of uncertain ultimate origin.

Cite this Entry

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