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

Dozens of provincial officials and hospital staff attempted to cover up a lead poisoning case that made hundreds of children sick in north-west China and sparked widespread outrage, an official investigation has found.

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

At the time, Yurok tribe biologist Chris West said it “almost seems inevitable that we will lose a bird or birds to lead poisoning if nothing changes.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

Several children had already been hospitalized with lead poisoning, the report had said.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper