thymus gland

noun

A ductless gland, consisting mainly of lymphatic tissue, located behind the top of the breastbone. It is most active during puberty, after which it shrinks in size. It plays an important role in the development of the immune system and produces lymphocytes.

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Meanings

nounthymus gland (plural thymus glands)

plural thymus glands

  1. anatomyA ductless gland, consisting mainly of lymphatic tissue, located behind the top of the breastbone. It is most active during puberty, after which it shrinks in size. It plays an important role in the development of the immune system and produces lymphocytes.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age

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thymus
Broader
endocrine glandendocrineductless gland

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

thymus gland. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thymus%20gland

MLA

“thymus gland.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thymus%20gland. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “thymus gland,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thymus%20gland.

Source: thymus gland on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.