chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

American

noun

Pathology.

any of various lung diseases leading to poor pulmonary aeration, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Scientific

Any of several pulmonary diseases, especially emphysema, in which chronic airway obstruction causes respiratory abnormalities, including shortness of breath.

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.

“We have 55 pathways available” for different treatments, Dr. Mansi says, including pulmonary embolism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Recent approvals for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where Dupixent has been approved as an add-on treatment, “are progressing well and expected to drive steady franchise growth.”

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Earlier this year, Merck acquired Verona Pharma — which sells a drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease called Ohtuvayre — for $10 billion.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025

Now 77, he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which he believes has links to his job.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2025

Certain chronic diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory conditions can also make you particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023