Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

bronchiectasis

American  
[brong-kee-ek-tuh-sis] / ˌbrɒŋ kiˈɛk tə sɪs /

noun

Pathology.
  1. a diseased condition in which a bronchus or the bronchi are distended, characterized by paroxysmal coughing and copious expectoration of sputum.


bronchiectasis British  
/ ˌbrɒŋkɪˈɛktəsɪs /

noun

  1. chronic dilation of the bronchi or bronchial tubes, which often become infected

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • bronchiectatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of bronchiectasis

1875–80; bronchi-, combining form of bronchia + Greek éktasis a stretching out, equivalent to ek- ec- + ta-, variant stem of teínein to stretch + -sis -sis

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.

Among these, nontuberculous mycobacteria infections are notorious for their stubborn resistance to conventional medication and their penchant for afflicting those with existing lung diseases such as bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2024

My death is close at hand, however, because of a lung condition called bronchiectasis, and I am on oxygen day and night.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

Her death was caused by bronchiectasis, a lung disease that she had battled since childhood, according to a post from Universal Music Australia and the Musicoast record label on the Seekers’ Facebook page.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2022

Then she found herself suddenly covered in a mysterious systemic rash and, shortly thereafter, was also diagnosed with a lung disease called bronchiectasis.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2022

The sojourn of an inorganic foreign body in the bronchus for a year or more is followed by the development of bronchiectasis, pulmonary abscess, and fibrous changes.

From Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery by Jackson, Chevalier