thromboembolism

American

[throm-boh-em-buh-liz-uhm] / ˌθrɒm boʊˈɛm bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

Pathology.

the blockage of a blood vessel by a thrombus carried through the bloodstream from its site of formation.

thromboembolism British

/ ˌθrɒmbəʊˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

pathol the obstruction of a blood vessel by a thrombus that has become detached from its original site

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

thromboembolic

adjective

Etymology

Origin of thromboembolism

First recorded in 1905–10; thrombo- + embolism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism refers to dangerous blood clots that form in a vein and may travel to the lungs.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026

The leading cause for maternal death in the UK is venous thromboembolism, where a blood clot blocks the flow of blood.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2025

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnancy and delivery increase the risk of thromboembolism, or circulating blood clots, including CVT.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2024

The cause was pulmonary thromboembolism, his brother, Kevin Benjamin, said.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2024

Early research suggests people who've had COVID-19 are at "significantly" higher risk of venous thromboembolism.

From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023