embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌli-zəm 

plural embolisms

1

: the insertion of one or more days in a calendar : intercalation

2

a

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

b

: embolus

embolismic

ˌem-bə-ˈliz-mik 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adriana Guel, 35, a mother of three, survived a rare life-threatening complication called an amniotic embolism during one of her deliveries and credited the hospital with saving her life. —Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2023

Mensah was on the team but sidelined by a pulmonary embolism. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2023

Women taking combined estrogens and progestins have a small increase in the risk of heart disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lung), but a decreased risk of colon cancer and hip fracture. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 11 July 2022

Melugin’s desire to be in Los Angeles stems from the sudden death of his father, Gary, a West Coast manager for insurance company AIG, who suffered a pulmonary embolism at age 55. —Stephen Battagliostaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2023

Johnson's father, professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, died of a pulmonary embolism in 2020 at age 75. —Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023

This sudden surge of oxygen in the body can exceed the amount the bloodstream can dissolve, leading to a gas embolism, or a bubble of air getting trapped in the bloodstream. —Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023

These include an abnormal heart rhythm, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, fatigue, liver disease, muscle pain, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. —Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 22 Nov. 2022

Blood clots can silently trigger serious heart health issues, including pulmonary embolism, strokes and heart attacks, according to the Cleveland Clinic. —Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 18 Nov. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English embolisme, from Medieval Latin embolismus, from Greek embol- (from emballein to insert, intercalate) — more at emblem

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden blocking of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus

Medical Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus