tumor

especially British, tu·mour

[too-mer, tyoo-]

noun

1. a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.

2. an uncontrolled, abnormal, circumscribed growth of cells in any animal or plant tissue; neoplasm.

3. Archaic.

   1. inflated pride; haughtiness.

   2. pompous language; bombast.

tumor

1. See neoplasm See Note at cancer

tumor

1. An abnormal mass of new tissue growth that serves no function in the body. Tumors are usually classified as benign or malignant and are often caused by cancer.

Other Word Forms

• tumorlike adjective
• tumorous adjective
• tumoral adjective
• antitumor adjective
• antitumoral adjective
• nontumorous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumor¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin: “a swelling, swollen state,” equivalent to tum(ēre) “to swell” + -or noun suffix ( -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

A court-ordered brain scan revealed that the 71-year-old defendant had been suffering from a walnut-sized brain tumor, which defense attorneys were prepared to argue had affected his judgment.

From Los Angeles Times

Then doctors found a 3-centimeter cancerous tumor on his right kidney.

From Los Angeles Times

Sanders said he had his bladder removed in May to address a cancerous tumor.

From Los Angeles Times

Alrashid said Othmane, whose Instagram account says he is a singer and music producer, was in the country legally, adding that he suffers from chronic pain and an untreated tumor.

From Los Angeles Times

And a small study co-authored by Sayour on glioblastoma showed the vaccines started affecting the tumors within 48 hours.

From Salon

Related Words

• Cancer 
• carcinoma 
• cyst 
• lump 
• swelling