infarct

American  

[in-fahrkt, in-fahrkt] / ˈɪnˌfɑrkt, ɪnˈfɑrkt /

noun

Pathology.

1. a localized area of tissue, as in the heart or kidney, that is dying or dead, having been deprived of its blood supply because of an obstruction by embolism or thrombosis.

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infarct British  

/ ɪnˈfɑːkt /

noun

1. Also called: infarction.  a localized area of dead tissue (necrosis) resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to that part, esp by an embolus

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infarct Scientific  

/ ĭn′färkt′,ĭn-färkt′ /

1. An area of living tissue that undergoes necrosis as a result of obstruction of local blood supply, as by a thrombus.

2. See also heart attack stroke

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Other Word Forms

• infarcted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infarct

1870–75; < New Latin infarctus, noun use of past participle of Latin infarcīre (variant of infercīre ) to stuff, equivalent to in- in- ² + farc ( īre ) to stuff, fill ( see farce) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

The next steps are to find a way to neutralize the harmful protein and test if this can reduce VT burden and infarct size.

From Science Daily • Oct. 13, 2025

The 25-year-old revealed in March that she sustained a "left occipital infarct" last year but there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024

In a post on social media, external-link Roebuck said tests found she had suffered a "left occipital infarct" but there was no lasting damage to her brain or vision.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2024

If the alarm clock suddenly rings an hour earlier than usual, a weak heart can suffer an infarct.

From Scientific American • Mar. 7, 2013

The arteries of the heart are not terminal vessels but as a rule blocking of a large branch leads to anemic infarct.

From Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension: with Chapters on Blood Pressure, 3rd Edition. by Warfield, Louis Marshall

Related Words

• barricade
• closure
• encirclement
• restriction
• roadblock
• siege
• stoppage