pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia nu̇-ˈmō-nyə 

nyu̇-

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia compare pneumonitis

Examples of pneumonia in a Sentence

He caught pneumonia over the winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

This type of pneumonia may result from bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. —Korin Miller, Health, 14 Apr. 2024

In 1952, when Sill was only 8 years old, her father Milford died of pneumonia. —Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

Symptoms of the virus can range from no symptoms at all to mild – with flu-like illness or eye redness – to severe, with cases reported of pneumonia requiring hospitalization. —Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024

Staff tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital after cardiorespiratory arrest stemming from pneumonia, the judge wrote. —ProPublica, 28 Mar. 2024

Some people may develop severe complications from measles, including pneumonia, swelling of the brain or a secondary bacterial infection. —Joe Murphy, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024

Diddy's ex Kim Porter dies Actress and model Kim Porter died from pneumonia in November 2018, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said. —Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

In 1977, Los Angeles County health officials faced two measles deaths, three cases of brain inflammation and numerous cases of pneumonia requiring hospitalization, according to an article in the journal Vaccine. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024

The disease can cause mild upper respiratory issues or severe illness, including pneumonia and multiple-organ failure that leads to death. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pneumōn lung, alteration of pleumōn — more at pulmonary

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pneumonia

• double pneumonia
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
• primary atypical pneumonia
• walking pneumonia

Kids Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: a disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection

Medical Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia