edema
Americannoun
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edemas,
plural
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edemata
plural
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effusion of serous fluid into the interstices of cells in tissue spaces or into body cavities.
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Plant Pathology.
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a small surface swelling of plant parts, caused by excessive moisture.
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any disease so characterized.
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noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of edema
First recorded in 1490–1500; from New Latin oedēma, from Greek oídēma “a swelling,” equivalent to oidē- (variant stem of oideîn “to swell”) + -ma noun suffix
Compare meaning
How does edema compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The word edema means swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues of the body. Edema often occurs in the feet, and could make it hard to comfortably fit into your shoes. First used as a 14th-century medical term, the noun edema is derived from the Greek word oidein meaning "to swell." Edema is a swelling that results from an excess of fluid trapped inside the body's tissue. It can be caused by certain diseases, some medications, sitting or standing in the same position for too long, or consuming a diet high in salt. Pregnant women often experience edema in their feet, ankles, and hands.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It said he had been suffering from a range of conditions including "cerebral edema associated with severe neurological injury", a respiratory infection and renal failure.
From BBC ● May 31, 2026
"He had a lot of edema, his face was very swollen, there was edema on his limbs, and a globular abdomen, like a balloon."
From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026
Potential adverse events the companies knew about included depression, suicidal ideation, somnolence, edema, dizziness and confusion, documents from lawsuits show.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025
Acute exposure by inhalation can cause respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, congestion, edema and lung hemorrhages, while oral ingestion can cause adverse effects in the blood and thyroid.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2025
The following morning Wlasich complained that he felt ill and then lost consciousness; a Norwegian doctor who happened to be present determined that the Austrian was suffering from both pulmonary and cerebral edema.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
The two bodies he was embalming were opposites: one small and bony, almost to the point of emaciation, the other large, the legs and feet swelling with edemas.
From New York Times ● Nov. 1, 2022
The edemas and carbuncles may also appear in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, in the tongue, and in the rectum.
From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Digitoxin, however, is often valuable in conditions of cardiac debility or slight weakening in patients who do not have dilated hearts or edemas.
From Disturbances of the Heart by Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas) Osborne
In this manner it is easy to differentiate post-operative or post-traumatic edemas which may or may not cause lameness.
From Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 by John Victor Lacroix
Patients with acute heart failure or acute loss of compensation, with more or less serious edemas, should rarely take the risk of traveling any distance to be treated at an institution.
From Disturbances of the Heart by Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas) Osborne
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