thymus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical
Quick answer
What does “thymus” mean?
A small gland located in the upper chest, involved in the development of the immune system, particularly T-cells.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small gland located in the upper chest, involved in the development of the immune system, particularly T-cells.
In immunology, the thymus is crucial for T-cell maturation and selection; it atrophies with age and is part of the lymphatic system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or meaning between British and American English.
Connotations
Neutral in both variants, associated with medical and scientific discourse.
Frequency
Equally low in general usage but common in specialized fields like medicine and biology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “thymus” in a Sentence
the thymus of [mammals]function of the thymusVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thymus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- thymic function is vital for immunity.
American English
- thymic activity decreases with age.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
rarely used, except in biotechnology or pharmaceutical contexts.
Academic
commonly used in biology, medicine, and immunology courses.
Everyday
seldom used in casual conversation.
Technical
frequently used in medical research, anatomy, and immunology discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thymus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thymus”
- Misspelling as 'thymis' or 'thymas'
- Mispronunciation as /ˈθɪməs/ instead of /ˈθaɪməs/
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the upper chest, behind the sternum and between the lungs.
It matures and selects T-cells, which are crucial for the body's immune response.
Yes, it is largest in children and shrinks after puberty, a process called involution.
No, it is primarily used in medical, biological, and scientific contexts.
A small gland located in the upper chest, involved in the development of the immune system, particularly T-cells.
Thymus is usually technical in register.
Thymus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθaɪməs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθaɪməs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'thymus' rhyming with 'time us' – it's a gland that is most active in early life and shrinks over time.
Conceptual Metaphor
The thymus is often metaphorically described as a 'training school' for T-cells, where they learn to distinguish self from non-self.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the thymus?