noun
- two small masses of tissue at the back of the throat that help fight infection
Usage: anatomy; usually plural
Examples
- The doctor examined her swollen tonsils.
- He had his tonsils removed when he was seven years old.
- Strep throat can cause the tonsils to become red and inflamed.
- The tonsils are part of the body’s immune system.
- Her tonsils were so enlarged that swallowing was difficult.
- The surgeon recommended a tonsillectomy to remove the infected tonsils.