# NHL

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nhl
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. sports league

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

Stands for National Hockey League. This is the top professional league for ice hockey in the United States and Canada.

For teachers: Abbreviation for National Hockey League. The premier professional ice hockey organization in North America, comprising teams from both the United States and Canada.

- He grew up in Canada dreaming of one day playing in the NHL.
- The NHL expanded its reach by adding several new franchises in the southern United States during the late twentieth century.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

### 2. medical condition

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This is a type of cancer that starts in the body's immune system.

For teachers: Abbreviation for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas.

- The doctor explained that NHL is a treatable form of cancer.
- Recent advancements in immunotherapy have significantly improved the five-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with aggressive forms of NHL.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in medical contexts.

### 3. historic site

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Formal

Stands for National Historic Landmark. This is a building or site in the U.S. that is officially recognized for its historical importance.

For teachers: Abbreviation for National Historic Landmark. A building, site, structure, or object that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance.

- The old courthouse was designated as an NHL to protect it from being destroyed.
- The preservation society campaigned for years to have the battlefield recognized as an NHL to ensure federal protection of the site.

Usage: Commonly used in government and architectural conservation contexts.

### 4. dog breed

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Nenets Herding Laika. This is a specific breed of dog from Russia used for herding reindeer.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Nenets Herding Laika. A multi-purpose spritz-type dog breed originating from the Russian Arctic, traditionally used by the Nenets people for reindeer herding.

- The NHL is a hardy dog breed that can survive in extremely cold climates.
- Genetic studies of the NHL suggest it is one of the oldest dog breeds, maintaining a lineage closely tied to the nomadic tribes of the Siberian tundra.

## Examples

- The doctor ran tests to check for NHL after finding swollen glands.
- Recent advancements in immunotherapy have significantly improved the survival rates for patients diagnosed with aggressive forms of NHL.
- While Hodgkin's disease is marked by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, NHL encompasses a much broader range of malignancies that require distinct histopathological classification for effective treatment.

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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.