thymus
1 synonym for thymus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A gland in the upper chest, beneath the breastbone, that is most active during puberty and helps the immune system develop by producing lymphocytes.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
thymus gland
How to use thymus
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the thymus gland
an enlarged thymus
thymus function
It is a technical term used in anatomy and immunology.
Etymology
Thymus was taken from New Latin thymus, which came from the Ancient Greek word thúmos. That word meant a warty growth and was also used by Galen for the thymus gland.
Full origin of thymus →Frequently asked questions
What does the thymus do?
It helps the immune system develop by making lymphocytes.
Where is the thymus located?
It sits in the upper chest, under the breastbone.
What is the plural of thymus?
The plural is either thymuses or thymi.
