emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues

specifically : a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized especially by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action

emphysematous

ˌem(p)-fə-ˈze-mə-təs  -ˈse-  -ˈzē-  -ˈsē- 

adjective

emphysemic

ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mik  -ˈsē- 

adjective

Examples of emphysema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The murk posed a real threat to Texans with emphysema or asthma, to the elderly or the infirm. — Scott W. Stern, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2026

Group 3 comes from chronic lung diseases like emphysema or COPD. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026

Collins died on July 11, 1965, from emphysema. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

That can lead to irritated lungs, especially for those with asthma, emphysema or bronchitis. — Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek emphysēma, from emphysan to inflate, from em- en- entry 2 + physan to blow, from physa breath — more at pustule

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emphysema

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

Kids Definition

emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: a condition marked by abnormal enlargement of the air spaces of the lungs, shortness of breath, and often by faulty heart action

Medical Definition

emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions in interstitial or subcutaneous tissues

specifically : a condition of the lung that is marked by distension and eventual rupture of the alveoli with progressive loss of pulmonary elasticity, that is accompanied by shortness of breath with or without cough, and that may lead to impairment of heart action

emphysematous

-ˈzem-ət-əs  -ˈsem-  -ˈzēm-  -ˈsēm- 

adjective

emphysemic

-ˈzē-mik  -ˈsē- 

adjective