embolism
Americannoun
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Pathology. the occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus.
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intercalation, as of a day in a year.
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a period of time intercalated.
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(in a Eucharistic service) the prayer following the final petitions of the Lord's Prayer.
noun
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the occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus
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botany the blocking of a xylem vessel by an air bubble
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the insertion of one or more days into a calendar, esp the Jewish calendar; intercalation
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RC Church a prayer inserted in the canon of the Mass between the Lord's Prayer and the breaking of the bread
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another name (not in technical use) for embolus
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A mass, such as an air bubble, detached blood clot, or foreign body, that travels in the bloodstream, lodges in a blood vessel, and obstructs or occludes it.
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Also called embolus
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The obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by such a mass.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of embolism
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin embolismus intercalation < Late Greek embolismós, equivalent to embol- ( see embolus) + -ismos -ism
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.
Partaking in them is not without risk—ozone therapy, for example, has the potential side effect of something called an air embolism, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office determined that the beloved comedian died of a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs, according to her death certificate published Monday by TMZ.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026
Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate has revealed.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
Penumbra’s portfolio includes devices to treat conditions like pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein aneurysms, and heart attack.
From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026
On the other hand, it could have been an embolism, because your blood clots much more easily when you are lying down for a long time, like when you are in hospital.
From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
