# lymph

/ˈɫɪmf/ (US) · /lˈɪmf/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lymph
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a clear, pale liquid in your body that helps fight infections and carries waste away from your cells.

For teachers: a colourless fluid containing white blood cells, which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.

## Examples

- The doctor checked his neck to see if his lymph nodes were swollen.
- The lymphatic system works to circulate lymph throughout the body, playing a vital role in the immune response.
- Unlike the circulatory system, which relies on the heart, the movement of lymph depends on the contraction of skeletal muscles and the action of breathing.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in medical or biological contexts; often appears in the compound 'lymph nodes'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.