bronchiectasis

[brong-kee-ek-tuh-sis]

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

/ ˌbrɒŋkɪˈɛktəsɪs /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• bronchiectatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bronchiectasis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bronchiectasis¹

C19: from _broncho- + Greek ektasis a stretching

Example Sentences

Pneumonia can be mild or it can be severe, and it can have long-term effects for a child, such as chronic lung disease, lung function deficits, and increased risk of adult asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease unrelated to smoking, and bronchiectasis.

From Salon

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

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

There was a little scarring — where the narrow treelike branches of the airways got stretched out and baggy in what was called bronchiectasis.

From New York Times

Her mother struggled with asthma — Ms. Durham was also sickly as a child, diagnosed with the lung condition bronchiectasis — but often joined in family gatherings around the piano, where Ms. Durham and her older sister sang Bing Crosby songs and other pop standards.

From Washington Post