sputum

American  

[spyoo-tuhm] / ˈspyu təm /

noun

plural

sputa

1. matter, as saliva mixed with mucus or pus, expectorated from the lungs and respiratory passages.

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sputum British  

/ ˈspjuːtəm /

noun

1. a mass of salivary matter ejected from the mouth

2. saliva ejected from the mouth mixed with mucus or pus exuded from the respiratory passages, as in bronchitis or bronchiectasis

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Etymology

Origin of sputum

1685–95; < Latin spūtum, noun use of neuter of spūtus, past participle of spuere to spit, equivalent to spū- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix

Compare meaning

How does sputum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sputum vs. mucus

Explanation

Sputum is the gross stuff that you cough up when you're sick and congested. Sputum is your saliva mixed with mucus from your lungs. Examining a patient's sputum is one way for a doctor to tell if she might have an infection, rather than just a cold. A yellow or greenish color to the sputum someone coughs up is a sign of infection, while clear sputum usually means all is well. The word sputum shares a root with spew, the Latin verb spuere, "to spit."

Example Sentences

Sputum samples are loaded onto cartridges and inserted into the machine, which is connected to a computer to read off the results.

From Nature • Oct. 9, 2013

Sputum, the tar of frequent No6s, catarrh, Spangles slivers and the reddish dye of aniseed balls gave the splotches the look of abstract expressionist artworks.

From The Guardian • Feb. 18, 2011

Sputum Cups.—These should be of glazed earthenware, without any corners or cracks and provided with a simple moveable cover when in use.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Outfit for Sputum Examinations, after Kaatzer, consisting of a platinum needle, blower, cover-glass forceps, and a small rubber plate $4.75 No. 175.

From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst