nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnä-(ˌ)jül 
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: such as
a
: a small rounded lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate
b
: a swelling on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria
c
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (such as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
Examples of nodule in a Sentence
The examination revealed a nodule on his lung.
a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there
Recent Examples on the Web
Plants That Benefit From Being Planted With Beans With the help of bacteria that grow in nodules on their roots, bean plants and their relatives enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air into a form usable by plants.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Polymetallic nodules, which contain valuable minerals, are found in various regions of the deep seafloor.
—Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Deep-sea mining companies are aiming to mine the cobalt, nickel, copper, lithium and manganese contained in the nodules for use in solar panels, electric car batteries and other green technology.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
This 2020 animation demonstrates how a collector vehicle launched from a ship during deep-sea mining would travel 15,000 feet below sea level to collect polymetallic nodules containing essential minerals.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nodule
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Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Polymetallic nodules, which contain valuable minerals, are found in various regions of the deep seafloor.
—Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Deep-sea mining companies are aiming to mine the cobalt, nickel, copper, lithium and manganese contained in the nodules for use in solar panels, electric car batteries and other green technology.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
This 2020 animation demonstrates how a collector vehicle launched from a ship during deep-sea mining would travel 15,000 feet below sea level to collect polymetallic nodules containing essential minerals.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nodule
Cite this Entry
“Nodule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nodule. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l
1
: a small rounded mass
manganese nodules on the ocean floor
2
: a swelling on the root of a plant of the legume family that contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria
nodular
adjective
ˈnäj-ə-lər
Medical Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: as
a
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
b
: the nodulus of the cerebellum
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