tonsil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical, general (in health discussions).
Quick answer
What does “tonsil” mean?
One of two small masses of lymphoid tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the mouth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One of two small masses of lymphoid tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the mouth.
The term is also used informally to refer to the palatine tonsils specifically, the most commonly discussed pair. In rare technical contexts, it can refer to other lymphoid masses, such as the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids) or lingual tonsil.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word 'tonsillectomy' is the standard term for surgical removal in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral medical/anatomical term in both. Associated with childhood illness and surgery.
Frequency
Equally common in health-related contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “tonsil” in a Sentence
have swollen ~ssuffer from infected ~sundergo a ~lectomyget one's ~s outVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tonsil” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- tonsillar tissue
- a tonsillar infection
American English
- tonsillar tissue
- a tonsillar abscess
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and health science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing sore throats, childhood illnesses, or surgery.
Technical
Specific anatomical term in otolaryngology and general medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tonsil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tonsil”
- Misspelling as 'tonsels'.
- Using singular 'tonsil' when the plural 'tonsils' is more idiomatic (e.g., 'My tonsil is sore' sounds odd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less common. It's primarily used in technical descriptions (e.g., 'the left tonsil') or in compound adjectives ('tonsillar'). In everyday speech, the plural 'tonsils' is standard.
No. The tonsils (palatine tonsils) are at the sides of the throat. Adenoids (pharyngeal tonsil) are a single mass of tissue higher up, behind the nose. Both are lymphoid tissues.
The main reasons are recurrent tonsillitis (infection), obstructive sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils, or a suspected tonsillar tumour.
Yes, unless they were surgically removed. Tonsils are present from birth but often shrink in size after puberty.
One of two small masses of lymphoid tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the mouth.
Tonsil is usually medical, general (in health discussions). in register.
Tonsil: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɒn.səl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːn.səl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get your tonsils out (informal for having a tonsillectomy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TONS of ILLness' - tonsils often get ill.
Conceptual Metaphor
GUARDIANS/GATES (tonsils as protective tissue at the entrance to the respiratory/digestive tract).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common procedure associated with the word 'tonsil'?