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

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

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

Since the 1990s, the state has implemented a law that assesses fees against producers of lead paint and leaded gas to help treat lead poisoning in children, known as the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2025

Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because of their developing nervous systems and tendency to play close to the ground.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 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