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
Examples of tonsil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In April, Hall shared a photo on her Instagram Stories, revealing that her sons Brayden and Hudson both got their tonsils taken out that morning.
—
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024
Our body's nervous system is controlled solely by the brain; the immune system involves the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes and skin.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Some of the most common strep throat symptoms include pain, fever, swollen tonsils, and tiny spots at the roof of the mouth called petechiae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2023
Like a moth caressing an undead loverboy's tonsils, the nostalgic charms of Disney's Hocus Pocus have long fluttered inside the hearts of millennials raised on the tale.
—EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for tonsil 
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024
Our body's nervous system is controlled solely by the brain; the immune system involves the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes and skin.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024
Some of the most common strep throat symptoms include pain, fever, swollen tonsils, and tiny spots at the roof of the mouth called petechiae.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2023
Like a moth caressing an undead loverboy's tonsils, the nostalgic charms of Disney's Hocus Pocus have long fluttered inside the hearts of millennials raised on the tale.
—EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for tonsil
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tonsil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tonsil
Cite this Entry
“Tonsil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonsil. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
c
2
: a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum
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