aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm ˈan-yə-ˌri-zəm 

variants or less commonly aneurism

: an abnormal blood-filled bulge of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from weakening (as from disease) of the vessel wall

aneurysmal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

adjective

Examples of aneurysm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The condition is caused by the buildup of plaque — meaning fats, cholesterol and other substances — in and on the artery walls, which can lead to events such as heart attacks, strokes and aneurysms. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

But right before graduation, Remedios’ father suffered a brain aneurysm. —Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026

The finale reveals that the real Janet died of an aneurysm, and her AI bot is now gone too. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026

Fitts has made three Cactus League starts for his new club, but Clarke won’t be game-ready until June; in February the Cardinals announced that the lefty, who reached High-A Greenville last season, underwent surgery to address an aneurysm in his pitching arm. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek aneurysma, from aneurynein to dilate, from ana- + eurynein to stretch, from eurys wide — more at eury-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aneurysm

• alyssum
• cataclysm

Medical Definition

aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm

variants also aneurism

ˈan-yə-ˌriz-əm 

: an abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from disease of the vessel wall

aneurysmal adjective

also aneurismal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

aneurysmally

-ē 

adverb