emphysema

[em-fuh-see-muh, -zee-]

noun

Pathology.

1. 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.

2. any abnormal distention of an organ, or part of the body, with air or other gas.

emphysema

/ ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə, ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs, -ˈsiː- /

noun

1. Also called: pulmonary emphysema. a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing

2. the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part

emphysema

1. 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.

emphysema

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• emphysematous adjective
• emphysemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin, from Greek emphȳ́sēma “inflation,” from em- em- ² + phȳsē- (variant stem of phȳsân “to blow”) + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek emphusēma, a swelling up, from emphusan to inflate, from phusan to blow

Example Sentences

“I am in excellent shape except for emphysema,” he wrote in his 2024 post.

From Salon

Long-term exposure can result in lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis and chronic emphysema.

From Los Angeles Times

The singer had previously suffered multiple health problems, including bulimia, breast cancer and emphysema caused by decades of smoking.

From BBC

“We’ve seen before that after large wildfires, we have asthma exacerbations, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung infections,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Discussing his emphysema diagnosis last summer, he said he was in "excellent shape" and would "never retire".

From BBC