embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌli-zəm 

plural embolisms

1

: the insertion of one or more days in a calendar : intercalation

2

a

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

b

: embolus

embolismic

ˌem-bə-ˈliz-mik 

adjective

Examples of embolism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ellison suffered a pulmonary embolism inside the family's South Fulton home. — Nakell Williams, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Working as a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, Letby systematically murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven more by injecting them with insulin, overfeeding them, and giving them air embolisms. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

Confined to his home after a pulmonary embolism and two heart attacks, Ibrahim Alfa Jnr. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

But her death certificate listed a pulmonary embolism as the main cause, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embolisme, from Medieval Latin embolismus, from Greek embol- (from emballein to insert, intercalate) — more at emblem

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embolism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden blocking of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus

Medical Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus