nodule
noun
nod·ule ˈnä-(ˌ)jül 
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: such as
a
: a small rounded lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate
b
: a swelling on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria
c
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (such as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
Synonyms
- bump
- knot
- lump
- node
- swelling
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The examination revealed a nodule on his lung. a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there
Recent Examples on the Web Artifacts in the grave included a bright-red nodule of ocher found near the person’s mouth and several flake-stone objects. 
Dominique Mosbergen, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Since LaPorte was in good her health, she was told to watch the nodule and wait. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Oct. 2021 The Metals Company wants to mine a nodule-rich region of the Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2021 Physicians hadn't looked at the nodule again until LaPorte experienced worsening symptoms last year. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Oct. 2021 Half the height of the tomato start should be planted into the ground, because roots will grow out of each stem/leave nodule. oregonlive, 11 Aug. 2021 By digesting many examples, the algorithms can learn patterns of pixels statistically associated with those labels, such as the texture or shape of a lung nodule. Tom Simonite, Wired, 5 Aug. 2021 But at one end, each seed has a yellow nodule full of fats that are nutritious for young ants. Leslie Nemo, Scientific American, 29 June 2021 Her doctor has since ruled out Graves' disease, and will determine if Stewart has sub-acute thyroiditis or a nodule on her throat by the end of the week. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 10 June 2021 See More
Dominique Mosbergen, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Since LaPorte was in good her health, she was told to watch the nodule and wait. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Oct. 2021 The Metals Company wants to mine a nodule-rich region of the Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2021 Physicians hadn't looked at the nodule again until LaPorte experienced worsening symptoms last year. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Oct. 2021 Half the height of the tomato start should be planted into the ground, because roots will grow out of each stem/leave nodule. oregonlive, 11 Aug. 2021 By digesting many examples, the algorithms can learn patterns of pixels statistically associated with those labels, such as the texture or shape of a lung nodule. Tom Simonite, Wired, 5 Aug. 2021 But at one end, each seed has a yellow nodule full of fats that are nutritious for young ants. Leslie Nemo, Scientific American, 29 June 2021 Her doctor has since ruled out Graves' disease, and will determine if Stewart has sub-acute thyroiditis or a nodule on her throat by the end of the week. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 10 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin nodulus, diminutive of nodus
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule ˈnä-jül
: a small roundish lump or mass
Medical Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: as
a
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
b
: the nodulus of the cerebellum
nodule
noun
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
- swelling
- lump
- tumor
- node
- bump
- bruise
- knot
- wart
- growth
- welt
- blister
- contusion
- hunch
- clump
- knob
- hump
- boil
- chunk
- blob
- nub
- hunk
- clod
- gob
- nugget
- nubble
- wad
- gobbet