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

On top of that, 460 tons of melted lead had poured over the site and the surrounding streets, creating a serious danger of lead poisoning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

Authorities in Tianshui have also announced that children suffering from lead poisoning can receive free treatment at designated hospitals and legal assistance will be made available to affected families.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

RFK Jr. waffles on cuts to lead poisoning prevention efforts; Evan Casey for Wisconsin Public Radio: Lead poisoning in Milwaukee Public Schools: What to know and how to keep your kids safe.

From Slate • May 22, 2025

Unfortunately, this puts them at an elevated risk of lead poisoning should they scavenge on an animal killed with lead ammunition.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 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