emphysema
a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs accompanied by destruction of the tissue lining the walls of the air spaces.
any abnormal distention of an organ, or part of the body, with air or other gas.
Origin of emphysema
1Other words from emphysema
- em·phy·sem·a·tous [em-fuh-sem-uh-tuhs, -see-muh-, -zem-uh-, -zee-muh-], /ˌɛm fəˈsɛm ə təs, -ˈsi mə-, -ˈzɛm ə-, -ˈzi mə-/, adjective
- em·phy·se·mic, adjective
Words Nearby emphysema
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use emphysema in a sentence
While pot smoke does contain cancer-causing chemicals, recent research has found that cannabis use is not associated with a higher risk of lung cancer or emphysema.
More And More Americans Are Smoking Pot. What Does That Mean For Their Health? | Lester Black | November 30, 2021 | FiveThirtyEightAnd in her final years, when she was blinded by macular degeneration and suffocating with emphysema, vanity left her isolated.
Understanding Diana Vreeland, ‘Empress of Fashion’ | Robin Givhan | November 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSuffering from severe emphysema, she clung to life through a ventilator, as Singer coordinated her care.
There may be some emphysema, but not enough to account for the respiratory difficulty.
Psychotherapy | James J. WalshSurgical emphysema signifies the effusion of air into the general connective tissues of the body.
Whooping-cough is well known as the exciting cause of emphysema in many persons.
Of pulmonary emphysema there are two forms, true vesicular and interstitial (or interlobular).
Madeira and the Canaries are useful when emphysema is present or where there is much irritability of constitution.
British Dictionary definitions for emphysema
/ (ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə) /
Also called: pulmonary emphysema a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing
the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part
Origin of emphysema
1Derived forms of emphysema
- emphysematous (ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs, -ˈsiː-), adjective
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
Scientific definitions for emphysema
[ ĕm′fĭ-sē′mə ]
A chronic lung disease characterized by progressive, irreversible expansion of the alveoli with eventual destruction of alveolar tissue, causing obstruction to airflow. Patients with emphysema often have labored breathing, wheezing, chronic fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection, and may require oxygen therapy. Long-term smoking is a common cause of emphysema.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for emphysema
[ (em-fuh-see-muh, em-fuh-zee-muh) ]
A chronic disease in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become stretched and enlarged, so that they are less able to supply oxygen to the blood. Emphysema causes shortness of breath and painful coughing and can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Emphysema occurs most frequently in older men who have been heavy smokers.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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