1. Small masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the throat, above the tonsils, that are part of the immune system.
Usage: Usually used in plural form.; Medical/anatomical term.

Examples

• The doctor examined the child's adenoids during the checkup.
• Enlarged adenoids can cause breathing problems and sleep apnea.
• Many children have their adenoids removed if they become chronically infected.
• Adenoids help fight infections in young children but shrink as they grow older.
• The infection spread to her adenoids, making it painful to swallow.