emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə , -ˈsē- \

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Definition of emphysema

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues; specifically : a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized especially by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action

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emphysematous

play \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈze-mə-təs, -ˈse-, -ˈzē-, -ˈsē-\ adjective

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emphysemic

play \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mik, -ˈsē-\ adjective

See emphysema defined for English-language learners

See emphysema defined for kids

Recent Examples of emphysema from the Web

Our elderly would face more bronchitis and emphysema.

— rob jackson, Scientific American, "Relaxing Vehicle-Efficiency Standards Is a Truly Dangerous Idea," 12 July 2018
Older patients who have cardio-respiratory conditions (emphysema, lung cancer, heart failure), or who are prone to pneumonia, or who have entered the later stages of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease — any of them may be nearing this crossroads.

— New York Times, "Breathing Tubes Fail to Save Many Older Patients," 22 June 2018
Crawford was employed by Hicks, who had emphysema, as a live-in caretaker at the time.

— marilyn icsman, Cincinnati.com, "Juror's letter to Kasich prompts second clemency hearing for Cincinnati killer on death row," 14 June 2018
Death certificates list both the immediate and underlying causes of death, which may be pneumonia complicated by heart disease, or heart disease complicated by emphysema.

— sallie tisdale, Good Housekeeping, "Everything to Expect, Say, and Do When a Loved One Is About to Die," 13 June 2018
He was diagnosed with subcutaneous emphysema - a rare condition in which air gets trapped under the skin's lowest layer called the subcutis or hypodermis.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Dachshund blew up like a balloon, 'crackled like Bubble Wrap'," 1 June 2018
These are days when air quality may become unhealthy for active children, the elderly and individuals who suffer from conditions such as asthma or emphysema.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "As 300,000 spectators descend on Indianapolis for Indy 500, city warns about being outside," 24 May 2018
For many years, researchers have tried to find ways to shrink the enlarged, overinflated lungs of advanced emphysema patients without resorting to high-risk surgery.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Temple-led study of lung-shrinking valves offers new hope for advanced emphysema," 22 May 2018
Laze can cause irritations of the skin, eyes and lungs, and those suffering from asthma or emphysema may be particularly vulnerable.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Hawaii on edge as lava reaches power plant: 'No one has faced this before'," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emphysema.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of emphysema

New Latin, from Greek emphysēma, from emphysan to inflate, from em- ²en- + physan to blow, from physa breath — more at pustule

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1587

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

EMPHYSEMA Defined for English Language Learners

emphysema

noun

Definition of emphysema for English Language Learners

medical : a disease in which the lungs become stretched and breathing becomes difficult

EMPHYSEMA Defined for Kids

emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ ˌem-fə-ˈzē-mə , -ˈsē-mə \

Definition of emphysema for Students

: a disease in which the lungs become stretched and inefficient

Medical Dictionary

emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə , -ˈsē- \

medical Definition of emphysema

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions in interstitial or subcutaneous tissues; specifically : a condition of the lung that is marked by distension and eventual rupture of the alveoli with progressive loss of pulmonary elasticity, that is accompanied by shortness of breath with or without cough, and that may lead to impairment of heart action

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