tonsil
noun
ton·sil ˈtän(t)-səl 
1
: either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces
2
: any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (such as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils
tonsillar
ˈtän(t)-s(ə-)lər
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The rapper replaced Doja Cat on the festival lineup following her cancellation due to her tonsil surgery, which also resulted in her stepping down from The Weeknd’s tour. 
Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 28 July 2022 Additionally, Doja Cat was originally set to perform as the opening act in North America but had to cancel due to tonsil surgery and was replaced by Canadian DJ Kaytranada, Snoh Aalegra and American record producer Mike Dean. Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 July 2022 Opening the show in lieu of Doja Cat, who announced in May that tonsil surgery would prevent her from joining the tour, were DJ/producers Mike Dean and Kaytranada (Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra will join Dean on several dates in August). Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 The stadium tour has also faced a change in openers after Doja Cat, who was initially scheduled to open the show, had to pull out to recover from tonsil surgery. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2022 See Doja Cat’s video and photos following her tonsil surgery below. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 June 2022 Some celebrity couples keep their hands to themselves when cameras are near, but Bennifer 2.0 have been caught playing tonsil hockey all over the place. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 23 June 2022 The rapper has been candid in the past few weeks about her tonsil infection, which began the night of the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 June 2022 Doja Cat is giving fans a little update after undergoing tonsil surgery. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 17 June 2022 See More
Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 28 July 2022 Additionally, Doja Cat was originally set to perform as the opening act in North America but had to cancel due to tonsil surgery and was replaced by Canadian DJ Kaytranada, Snoh Aalegra and American record producer Mike Dean. Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 July 2022 Opening the show in lieu of Doja Cat, who announced in May that tonsil surgery would prevent her from joining the tour, were DJ/producers Mike Dean and Kaytranada (Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra will join Dean on several dates in August). Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 The stadium tour has also faced a change in openers after Doja Cat, who was initially scheduled to open the show, had to pull out to recover from tonsil surgery. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2022 See Doja Cat’s video and photos following her tonsil surgery below. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 June 2022 Some celebrity couples keep their hands to themselves when cameras are near, but Bennifer 2.0 have been caught playing tonsil hockey all over the place. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 23 June 2022 The rapper has been candid in the past few weeks about her tonsil infection, which began the night of the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 June 2022 Doja Cat is giving fans a little update after undergoing tonsil surgery. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 17 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin tonsillae, plural, tonsils
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
tonsil
noun
ton·sil ˈtän-səl
: either of a pair of masses of spongy tissue at the back of the mouth
Medical Definition
tonsil
noun
ton·sil ˈtän(t)-səl
1
a
: either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces and are composed of lymph follicles grouped around one or more deep crypts and except for the exposed surface which is covered only by epithelium are surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue in a fibrous capsule
called also palatine tonsil
b
: pharyngeal tonsil
c
: lingual tonsil
2
: a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum