acute respiratory distress syndrome

[ uh-kyoot res-per-uh-tawr-ee di-stres sin-drohm, -druhm ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disorder, caused by an acute illness or injury that affects the lungs either directly or indirectly, resulting in stiffening of the lung tissue, pulmonary edema, and extreme shortness of breath. : ARDS

Word History and Origins

Origin of acute respiratory distress syndrome¹

First recorded in 2000–05