nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnä-(ˌ)jül 
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: such as
a
: a small rounded lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate
b
: a swelling on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria
c
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (such as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
Examples of nodule in a Sentence
The examination revealed a nodule on his lung.
a nodule on the leaf indicated that a worm had laid eggs there
Recent Examples on the Web
Conservation groups, which had already opposed the extraction of polymetallic nodules, quickly latched onto Sweetman’s work as justification for a moratorium on mining projects.
—
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration is seriously considering unilateral mining of polymetallic nodules from international waters and stockpiling them as a mineral reserve for strategic technologies.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
However, skeptics of the industry say that because of the long transport distances and corrosive and unpredictable conditions at sea, the cost of mining nodules offshore will far outstrip the price of doing so on land.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
These nodules form as metals in seawater or sediment collect around a nucleus, such as a piece of shell or shark’s tooth.
—Alexus Cazares-Nuesser, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nodule
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Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration is seriously considering unilateral mining of polymetallic nodules from international waters and stockpiling them as a mineral reserve for strategic technologies.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
However, skeptics of the industry say that because of the long transport distances and corrosive and unpredictable conditions at sea, the cost of mining nodules offshore will far outstrip the price of doing so on land.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
These nodules form as metals in seawater or sediment collect around a nucleus, such as a piece of shell or shark’s tooth.
—Alexus Cazares-Nuesser, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nodule
Cite this Entry
“Nodule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nodule. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l
1
: a small rounded mass
manganese nodules on the ocean floor
2
: a swelling on the root of a plant of the legume family that contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria
nodular
adjective
ˈnäj-ə-lər
Medical Definition
nodule
noun
nod·ule
ˈnäj-(ˌ)ü(ə)l
: a small mass of rounded or irregular shape: as
a
: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic joint)
b
: the nodulus of the cerebellum
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