adenoid

US: /ˈædəˌnɔɪd/ ,(ad′n oid′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•e•noid /ˈædəˌnɔɪd/   n. [countable]

1. Anatomy Usually, adenoids. [plural] growths of soft tissue in the nasal passage above the throat.

ad•e•noi•dal, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•e•noid  (ad′n oid′), n. 

1. Anatomy Usually, adenoids. an enlarged mass of lymphoid tissue in the upper pharynx, often obstructing breathing through the nasal passages. See diag. under tonsil. 

adj. 

2. Anatomy of or pertaining to the lymph glands.
3. of or pertaining to the adenoids.

• Greek adenoeidé̄s. See aden-, -oid
• 1830–40