1
: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation
called also neoplasm
2
: a swollen or distended part
… houses that bulged with the tumors and warts of … ornamental architecture …—
W. A. White
W. A. WhiteExamples of tumor in a Sentence
the scan showed a small tumor in her abdomen
Recent Examples on the Web
Ellis took just one or two classes each semester and faced several setbacks, including a 10-pound tumor on her kidney that required surgery.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Her doctor was able to treat the infection with antibiotics, but sent the placenta for testing, which is when the tumor was found.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 May 2025
The location of the tumor left him with aphasia—a language disorder affecting his ability to read and communicate—along with short-term memory loss.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
This breed and most are not particularly known for oral tumors of the hard palate.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumor
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Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Her doctor was able to treat the infection with antibiotics, but sent the placenta for testing, which is when the tumor was found.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 May 2025
The location of the tumor left him with aphasia—a language disorder affecting his ability to read and communicate—along with short-term memory loss.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
This breed and most are not particularly known for oral tumors of the hard palate.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumor
Cite this Entry
“Tumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumor. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tumor
noun
tu·mor
ˈt(y)ü-mər 
: an abnormal mass of tissue that arises from normal tissue cells and serves no useful purpose in the body
tumorous
adjective
ˈt(y)üm-(ə-)rəs
Medical Definition
tumor
noun
tu·mor
variants
or chiefly British tumour
: an abnormal benign or malignant new growth of tissue that possesses no physiological function and arises from uncontrolled usually rapid cellular proliferation see cancer sense 1, carcinoma, sarcoma
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