lung

[luhng]

noun

1. either of the two saclike respiratory organs in the thorax of humans and the higher vertebrates.

2. an analogous organ in certain invertebrates, as arachnids or terrestrial gastropods.

lung

/ lʌŋ /

noun

1. either one of a pair of spongy saclike respiratory organs within the thorax of higher vertebrates, which oxygenate the blood and remove its carbon dioxide

2. any similar or analogous organ in other vertebrates or in invertebrates

3. in one's loudest voice; yelling

lung

1. Either of two spongy organs in the chest of air-breathing vertebrate animals that serve as the organs of gas exchange. Blood flowing through the lungs picks up oxygen from inhaled air and releases carbon dioxide, which is exhaled. Air enters and leaves the lungs through the bronchial tubes.

2. A similar organ found in some invertebrates.

Other Word Forms

• lunged adjective
• half-lunged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lung¹

before 1000; Middle English lungen, Old English; cognate with German Lunge; akin to light ², lights

Word History and Origins

Origin of lung¹

Old English lungen; related to Old High German lungun lung. Compare _lights ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at the top of one's lungs, as loudly as possible; with full voice.

   The baby cried at the top of his lungs.

see at the top of one's lungs.

Example Sentences

Some symptoms can include fever, chills with cough, shortness of breath if the bacteria infect the lung, and pain or blood when urinating if the bladder/kidneys are infected.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones' father Simon died in August 2024, less than seven months after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

From BBC

It’s gorgeous, as is the shot of 20,000 people in the audience singing along at the top of their lungs to the Indigo Girls’ anthemic “Closer to Fine.”

From Salon

Their cancers are more often tied to lifestyle - tobacco and alcohol drive lung and oral cancers, both aggressive and less responsive to treatment.

From BBC

It can cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure and damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs.

From BBC