aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm ˈan-yə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce aneurysm (audio)
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 adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In 2002, Jenny and Jon Steingart founded the Off Broadway incubator Ars Nova as a way of honoring Jenny’s brother, Gabriel Wiener, who in 1997 died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 26. Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 8 May 2023 The coil forms a blood clot, blocks blood flow, and keeps the aneurysm from bursting. Alyssa Hui, Health, 12 Apr. 2023 Starring in films like Saving Private Ryan, Heat, True Romance, Black Hawk Down, and Pearl Harbor, Sizemore died on March 3 after suffering a brain aneurysm last month. John Travolta, Danny Trejo, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2023 The best friends ran to support the Andrea C. Cameron Foundation, established by Tyler and his brothers to honor their mother, who tragically died of a brain aneurysm in 2020 at the age of 55. Nancy Mattia, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2022 Their son and daughter, twins, were not quite 10 when her aneurysm ruptured. Steve Lopez Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Ray, the runner, refuses to have surgery to repair an aneurysm in his heart that could rupture at any moment. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 12 May 2023 In 2002, shortly before taking the stage in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario, Mr. Lightfoot collapsed and was near death during a six-week coma because of an aneurysm in his abdominal aorta. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 2 May 2023 In 2002, just before going onstage in Orillia, Mr. Lightfoot collapsed when an aneurysm in his abdominal aorta ruptured and left him near death. William Grimes, New York Times, 2 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aneurysm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of aneurysm was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near aneurysm

Cite this Entry

“Aneurysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aneurysm. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

aneurysm

noun
an·​eu·​rysm
variants also aneurism
: an abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from disease of the vessel wall
aneurysmal adjective
also aneurismal
aneurysmally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on aneurysm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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