nodule

noun

ˈnä-(ˌ)jül How to pronounce nodule (audio)
Definition of nodulenext
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nodule After discovering a nodule in Pope Leo XIV's lung, surgeons at Gemelli Hospital in Rome performed surgery on Tuesday that revealed the Pope has cancer. — Alice Park, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 In the pope’s case, a nodule in his lung was spotted during another exam. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Pope Leo went into surgery Tuesday to remove a nodule that was determined to be a common type of lung cancer. — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Depending on the size, appearance, growth and cause of nodules, they can be either be monitored regularly by a physician or treated with medication or surgery. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nodule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nodule
  1. swelling
  2. lump
  3. node
  4. bump
  5. bruise
  6. tumor
Noun
  • Another biopsy confirmed it; the swelling in her neck was where the cancer had spread.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Those who have blood clots typically first develop swelling, pain or redness along the affected area and an ultrasound is used to diagnose it and search for deeper blood clots, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • The initial lump was detected during a routine check, the Vatican has said.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • If a new lump has no clear explanation or is still there after two weeks, make an appointment.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lump
Noun
  • Pope Leo underwent thoracic surgery to remove a cancerous node in his lung Tuesday.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The latest move by Taipei — a central node in global semiconductor manufacturing — is a significant step in curtailing black market sales to Chinese companies seeking to bypass US curbs.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of node
Noun
  • Prior to the past week’s bumps, Buck and Aikman had been having a smooth ride.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, it won’t all be perfectly executed every night and there are bound to be bumps in the road as the team saw Friday night.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bump
Noun
  • Hutch seemed unhurt beyond a twisted knee, but Ed, stripped naked, was a mass of small cuts and bright greening bruises that made an awful background for ridges of clotted blood.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • At the hospital, medical staff swabbed bruises on her friend for evidence, according to Lara.
    — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bruise
Noun
  • To profile their activity in patients with SCLC, the researchers analyzed tumor samples and non-affected biopsies from a dozen patients using single-cell RNA sequencing and immunophenotyping.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Half of women have dense breasts, and mammograms might not be able to pick up potentially deadly tumors hiding behind the tissue.
    — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumor

Browse Nearby Words

nods off
nodule
nodules
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nodule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodule. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nodule

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nodule

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All