English Reference
noun

lobe

n.
US /ˈɫoʊb/ UK /lˈəʊb/ lobe UK spelling lobe's, lobe's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

    a specific section of an organ in the body, such as the brain, lungs, or liver.

    a distinct, anatomically defined division of an organ, identifiable at the gross anatomy level.

    Simple

    The doctor explained that the tumor was located in the lower lobe of the right lung.

    In context

    Damage to the frontal lobe can result in significant changes to a person's personality and executive functioning capabilities.

    Usage

    Often used with specific anatomical modifiers like 'frontal', 'temporal', or 'pulmonary'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    the soft, fleshy part at the bottom of your ear.

    the soft, pendulous lower part of the external ear.

    Simple

    She felt a sharp pinch when the jeweler pierced her left lobe.

    In context

    The heavy gold earrings caused her lobes to stretch slightly over several years of frequent wear.

    earlobe
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical

    any rounded part that sticks out from the main body of something.

    a rounded projection or division of a leaf, a tool, or a physical object.

    Simple

    The oak leaf has several rounded lobes along its edges.

    In context

    The cam was designed with a specific lobe shape to ensure the valve opened at precisely the right moment in the cycle.

    projectionbulgeprotrusion

These lobed leaves often have intricate, serrated edges.

ScienceDaily· 30 Jul 2026

From Middle French lobe in early 16th century, from New Latin lobus (“a lobe”), from Ancient Greek λοβός (lobós, “the lobe of the ear or of the liver, the pod of a leguminous plant”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Ancient Greek λοβός
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated