pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia nu̇-ˈmō-nyə 

nyu̇-

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia compare pneumonitis

Examples of pneumonia in a Sentence

He caught pneumonia over the winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Measles hospitalizes nearly 10% of its victims and causes pneumonia, sepsis and potentially fatal encephalitis. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Within 24 hours of returning to campus, he was admitted to the emergency room with pneumonia and quickly transferred to the ICU. — Candace McKnight, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026

Kyle Busch died at age 41 after he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Kyle died in May at age 41 after his pneumonia turned into sepsis. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pneumōn lung, alteration of pleumōn — more at pulmonary

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pneumonia

• double pneumonia
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
• primary atypical pneumonia
• walking pneumonia

Rhymes for pneumonia

• ammonia
• begonia
• bronchopneumonia
• pleuropneumonia

Kids Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: a disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection

Medical Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia