cyst

1 of 3

noun

ˈsist How to pronounce cyst (audio)
Synonyms of cystnext
1
: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body
2
: a body resembling a cyst: such as
a
: a resting spore of many algae
b
: the air bladder of certain algae or aquatic plants (such as rockweed)
c
: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage
also : this capsule with its contents
d
: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host

cyst-

2 of 3

combining form

variants or cysti- or cysto-
: bladder
cystitis
: sac
cystocarp

-cyst

3 of 3

noun combining form

: bladder : sac
blastocyst

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The world learned more about her as a person in early 2011 and in the ensuing years after doctors found a baseball-sized cyst on her left ovary. —Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 25 June 2023 This golf ball-sized cyst The relief this person must feel! —Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, 4 May 2023 Doctors rushed Sanders into surgery and the cyst and her right ovary were removed. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 7 Dec. 2022 If a cyst doesn’t go away on its own, your doctor can drain or remove it. —Alyssa Jung, Good Housekeeping, 29 Aug. 2022 The immune system’s attack on the cyst can cause the surrounding brain tissue to swell with inflammation. —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2012 If not treated properly, acne may become severe, with cysts that can lead to scarring. —Parents Editors, Parents, 6 June 2023 Pneumonia one month, an ovarian cyst that landed me in the emergency room the next. —Sarah Mucha, Women's Health, 3 June 2023 The reverse osmosis takes out impurities down to 1/10,000 of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper and more. —Jamie Kim, goodhousekeeping.com, 25 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cyst.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin cystis, from Greek kystis bladder, pouch; akin to Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts — more at wheeze

Combining form

French, from Greek kyst-, kysto-, from kystis

Noun combining form

New Latin -cystis, from Greek kystis

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyst was circa 1723

Phrases Containing cyst

Dictionary Entries Near cyst

-cyst

cyst

cyst-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Cyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyst. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

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Kids Definition

cyst

noun
ˈsist How to pronounce cyst (audio)
1
: a closed pouch or sac of fluid or solid material that develops in the body in some diseased conditions
2
: a covering resembling a cyst or a body (as a spore) with such a covering
cystic
ˈsis-tik
adjective

Medical Definition

cyst

noun
ˈsist How to pronounce cyst (audio)
1
: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a body cavity or structure
2
: a body resembling a cyst: as
a
: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage
also : this capsule with its contents
b
: a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host compare hydatid sense 2a
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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