edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

1

: an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy

2

a

: watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b

: any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

Examples of edema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hypothermia and high-altitude pulmonary edema invisibly patrol the peak, which a pair of Poles were the first to reach, in 1937. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025

The therapy is indicated for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, liver disease and kidney disease, including nephrotic syndrome, in adults. —New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025

There are three main types: acute mountain sickness, which is the mildest and most common form and whose defining feature is headaches; high-altitude cerebral edema, which involves swelling in the brain; and high-altitude pulmonary edema, which involves swelling in the lungs. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025

Additionally, a stroke often causes brain tissue swelling, which is called edema. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edema

• extrema
• ulema
• cima
• pima
• prima
• rima
• schema
• sema
• sima
• thema
• emphysema
• empyema

Kids Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

: an abnormal collection of watery fluid in a bodily tissue or cavity

Medical Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma

variants or chiefly British oedema

i-ˈdē-mə 

plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata

-mət-ə

or chiefly British oedemata

: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy