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
Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in 2022.
—Karen Fratti, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
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North Carolina
‘Spirited’ tiger dies at North Carolina rescue after tumors spread.
—Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
In July of that year, Villegas and wife Maria’s 22-month-old daughter Mia died following a four-month battle with tumors on the brain and spine.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Following the surgery, the tumor was biopsied and found to be cancerous.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tumor
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Karen Fratti, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Read Next California Orphan mountain lion cubs found hiding under car after mom killed, California zoo says
January 29, 2025 1:56 PM
Read Next
North Carolina
‘Spirited’ tiger dies at North Carolina rescue after tumors spread.
—Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
In July of that year, Villegas and wife Maria’s 22-month-old daughter Mia died following a four-month battle with tumors on the brain and spine.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Following the surgery, the tumor was biopsied and found to be cancerous.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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