empyema

noun

em·​py·​ema ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə 

plural empyemata ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə-tə  or empyemas

: the presence of pus in a bodily cavity

empyemic

ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mik 

adjective

Examples of empyema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Francis had died of empyema, a condition of the lungs that is often associated with pneumonia. —Claire Healy, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023

Pediatric intracranial infections investigated by the CDC – which include pus pooling in abscesses or empyemas around the brain – are a very rare but serious complication that has been seen from Streptococcus bacteria. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 June 2023

There were three cases of empyema at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in both December 2017 and December 2018; in December 2019, there were six. —Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 14 Jan. 2020

Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy. —Sandra G. Boodman, chicagotribune.com, 19 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek empyēma, from empyein to suppurate, from em- en- entry 2 + pyon pus — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for empyema

• emphysema
• myxedema
• cima
• pima
• prima
• rima
• schema
• sema
• sima
• thema
• edema
• extrema

Medical Definition

empyema

noun

em·​py·​ema ˌem-ˌpī-ˈē-mə 

plural empyemata -mət-ə  also empyemas

: the presence of pus in a bodily cavity (as the pleural cavity)

called also pyothorax

empyemic

-mik 

adjective