iron lung

American  

noun

1. a chamberlike respirator, formerly used in the treatment of poliomyelitis, that encloses the whole body except the head and in which alternate pulsations of high and low pressure induce normal breathing movements or force air into and out of the lungs.

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iron lung British  

noun

1. an airtight metal cylinder enclosing the entire body up to the neck and providing artificial respiration when the respiratory muscles are paralysed, as by poliomyelitis

2. informal a gas container used in dispensing beer

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Etymology

Origin of iron lung

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

iron lung

Martha Lillard was the last polio patient in the US who used an iron lung but her family told the BBC she never let it slow her down.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Lane spent the next several months in an iron lung.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2024

He was initially placed in an iron lung.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2024

He had to deal with the surprise of clients on entering his office and seeing him in his iron lung.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2024

He sent her to St. Jude Hospital and put her in an iron lung to help her breathe.

From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose