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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chronic breathlessness is a common feature of the lung conditions chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), the latter being the umbrella term for conditions that lead to lung inflammation and scarring. New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2025 Inhalers that deliver quick relief to patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be taking a toll on the planet, producing as much climate-warming pollution as more than half a million cars each year. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 On September 25, Dreja died of complications of multiple strokes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while in a London nursing home, according to his daughter, Jacqueline Dreja Zamboni. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2025 Sometimes a precise diagnosis was beside the point; a patient might come in with shortness of breath and low oxygen levels and be treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and pneumonia. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was in 1967

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20obstructive%20pulmonary%20disease. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!