lead poisoning

American  

[led] / lɛd /

noun

1. Pathology.

   1. a toxic condition produced by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption of lead or lead compounds, resulting in various dose-related symptoms including anemia, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion, blindness, and coma.

   2. Also called plumbism, saturnism.  this condition occurring in adults whose work involves contact with lead products.

2. Slang. death or injury inflicted by a bullet or shot.

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lead poisoning British  

/ lɛd /

noun

1. Also called: plumbism.   saturnism.  acute or chronic poisoning by lead or its salts, characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, convulsions, and coma

2. slang death or injury resulting from being shot with bullets

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Etymology

Origin of lead poisoning

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lead poisoning

So far, the raptor center says it has ruled out lead poisoning and the presence of swallowed objects, among other things.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

We’re proud of the results we’ve achieved over the past 17 months against air and water pollution, lead poisoning, ozone depletion and radioactive waste.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

“We must get the lead poisoning down,” Sandhaus said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026

One parent told the BBC that he was worried about the long-term effects of lead poisoning on his son's liver and digestive system.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2025

Absurdly, he was excluded from a 1971 National Research Council panel appointed to investigate the dangers of atmospheric lead poisoning even though he was by now unquestionably the leading expert on atmospheric lead.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson