lung

American  

[luhng] / lʌŋ /

noun

1. either of the two saclike respiratory organs in the thorax of humans and the higher vertebrates.

2. an analogous organ in certain invertebrates, as arachnids or terrestrial gastropods.

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idioms

1. at the top of one's lungs, as loudly as possible; with full voice.

   The baby cried at the top of his lungs.

lung British  

/ lʌŋ /

noun

1. either one of a pair of spongy saclike respiratory organs within the thorax of higher vertebrates, which oxygenate the blood and remove its carbon dioxide

2. any similar or analogous organ in other vertebrates or in invertebrates

3. in one's loudest voice; yelling

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lung Scientific  

/ lŭng /

1. Either of two spongy organs in the chest of air-breathing vertebrate animals that serve as the organs of gas exchange. Blood flowing through the lungs picks up oxygen from inhaled air and releases carbon dioxide, which is exhaled. Air enters and leaves the lungs through the bronchial tubes.

2. A similar organ found in some invertebrates.

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lung More Idioms  

1. see at the top of one's lungs.

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Other Word Forms

• half-lunged adjective
• lunged adjective

Etymology

Origin of lung

before 1000; Middle English lungen, Old English; cognate with German Lunge; akin to light ², lights

Example Sentences

Mette-Marit is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and her doctors are preparing to put her on a list for a lung transplant.

From BBC

Crown Princess Mette-Marit meanwhile is very unwell with pulmonary fibrosis, and her doctors are preparing her for a lung transplant.

From BBC

I was three months premature; my lungs were underdeveloped; I weighed two pounds and barely spanned the length of the doctor’s hand.

From The Wall Street Journal

What he was waiting for, Christopher couldn’t have explained: he only hoped, in a way that burned in his lungs and stomach, that there was something more than that which he had so far seen.

From Literature

The shock of the cold hits my eyes and my lungs, and I’m wide awake for the first time in hours.

From Literature