Lump

A lump is a compact mass or swelling that can occur in living tissue or as a piece of material. The term is used for discrete, localized structures that are distinct from the surrounding tissue or medium.

In medicine, a lump may represent a benign condition such as a cyst, lipoma, or fibroma, or a malignant tumor. Common sites include the breast, skin, and lymph nodes. Evaluation typically starts with a physical examination and may include imaging (ultrasound, MRI) or a biopsy. Red flags include rapid growth, hardness, fixation to deeper structures, skin changes, fever, or unexplained weight loss. Most lumps require medical assessment to determine cause and appropriate treatment; some may be managed with observation, drainage of a cyst, antibiotics for infection, or surgical removal.

Outside medicine, "lump" denotes a solid piece or chunk of material, such as a lump of sugar, coal, clay, or metal. The word also appears in phrases describing grouping, such as "to lump together," meaning to classifie without distinguishing between items.

In finance, a lump sum is a single, upfront payment, as opposed to an amount paid in installments.