emphysema

noun

em·phy·se·ma | \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə,

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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Other Words from emphysema

emphysematous \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈze-mə-təs,

-ˈse-, -ˈzē-, -ˈsē- \ adjective

emphysemic \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mik,

-ˈsē- \ adjective

Examples of emphysema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More than 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema, a progressive, incurable disease usually caused by smoking. — Marie Mccullough, Philly.com, "Emphysema patients get new option as FDA approves lung valves studied at Temple," 29 June 2018 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

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.

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Dictionary Entries near emphysema

emphysematous anthrax

emphyteusis

emphyteuta

Statistics for emphysema

Last Updated

1 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for emphysema

The first known use of emphysema was circa 1587

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More Definitions for emphysema

emphysema

noun

English Language Learners Definition of emphysema

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

See the full definition for emphysema in the English Language Learners Dictionary

emphysema

noun

em·phy·se·ma | \ˌem-fə-ˈzē-mə,

-ˈsē-mə\

Kids Definition of emphysema

: a disease in which the lungs become stretched and inefficient

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