noun
Uncommon
thyroid
THEYE-royd
Thyroid (noun) means a gland in the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism. Example: “Her doctor ordered a blood test to check her thyroid.”
noun
1
A gland in the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism.
"Her doctor ordered a blood test to check her thyroid."
"An overactive thyroid can cause rapid weight loss."
adj
1
Relating to the thyroid gland.
"He was diagnosed with a thyroid condition last year."
How to use thyroid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that regulates how your body uses energy.
Common pairings
thyroid gland
thyroid hormone
underactive thyroid
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like thyroid.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her doctor ordered a blood test to check her _____.
Etymology
From Greek thyreoeidēs, "shield-shaped," describing the gland's shape.
Synonyms
View more →
thyroidal
thyroid gland
Related words
Rhymes for thyroid
See all rhymes for thyroid →Frequently asked questions
What does “thyroid” mean?
The word “thyroid” means a gland in the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism. In plain terms, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that regulates how your body uses energy.
How do you pronounce “thyroid”?
“Thyroid” is pronounced THEYE-royd (/ˈθaɪ.ɹɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “thyroid” in a sentence?
Here is “thyroid” used in a sentence: “Her doctor ordered a blood test to check her thyroid.”
What part of speech is “thyroid”?
Depending on how it is used, “thyroid” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “thyroid” come from?
The word “thyroid” comes from Greek. From Greek thyreoeidēs, "shield-shaped," describing the gland's shape.
Is “thyroid” a common word?
“Thyroid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “thyroid” have?
“Thyroid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gland in the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism.
