chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

noun

: pulmonary disease (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation

—abbreviation COPD

Examples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a White House fact sheet, the drugs that will be covered include treatments for chronic conditions, including type two diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus and certain cancers. —Ibrahim Aksoy, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Meade, 82, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so a portable oxygen tank accompanies her everywhere. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025

Smoking is the leading risk factor for both lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Dec. 2025

Multiple studies also show a greater risk of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following menopause, particularly premature menopause. —Sashikala Vp, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees
• artistes
• assamese

Medical Definition

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

noun

variants also chronic obstructive lung disease

: pulmonary disease (as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation

called also COPD