: an abnormal sound heard accompanying the normal respiratory sounds on auscultation of the chest

Examples of rale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Literally nothing: no rales, no breath sounds, nothing. Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2019 For my preceptor, similarly, those wet rales were as recognizable as a familiar jingle. Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French râle, from râler to make a rattling sound in the throat

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rale was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near rale

Cite this Entry

“Rale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rale. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rale

noun
: an abnormal sound that accompanies the sounds of normal breathing (as in bronchitis)

Medical Definition

rale

noun
: an abnormal sound heard accompanying the normal respiratory sounds on auscultation of the chest compare rattle sense 2, rhonchus

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