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

Returned to work earlier than recommended When Baker fell and severely broke her ankle in February 2023, that led to several emergency room visits, as well as two surgeries and five days in the hospital for the pulmonary embolism. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025

Simisola Ade, a physician assistant based in London in the United Kingdom, previously told Newsweek that sitting still for long periods—especially on flights over four hours—can elevate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025

Roosevelt died of a coronary embolism at age 60. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

Within women’s heart attacks, the causes were SSDM (34%), SCAD (11%), embolism (2%), vasospasm (3%), or MINOCA-U (3%). —New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025

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
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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