impaction

noun

im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən How to pronounce impaction (audio)
: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted
especially : lodgment of something (such as feces) in a body passage or cavity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Both horses died as a result of severe gravel and sand impaction in their digestive systems. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 May 2023 With an impaction, ear wax ends up at the end of your ear canal and directly next to the eardrum. Madeleine Burry, Health, 3 Mar. 2023 To report the ingestion of an unusual large foreign object with hypopharyngeal impaction, complications, and treatment. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2015 Accidental cell phone ingestion with pharyngeal impaction. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2015 Rectal impaction following enema with concrete mix. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2012 Further imaging of the hip revealed a mild femoral head impaction fracture. oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2022 And sand colic -- the gut impaction that killed Tony, the horse found with 44 pounds of gravel in his gut -- often occurs when horses are fed in areas with abundant sand and gravel. Drew F. Lawrence And Katie Bo Lillis, CNN, 7 Apr. 2022 Conversely, stool impaction may lead to incontinence, which is why a thorough history and exam is so critical. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 7 Feb. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impaction was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near impaction

Cite this Entry

“Impaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impaction. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

impaction

noun
im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən How to pronounce impaction (audio)
: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted

Medical Definition

impaction

noun
im·​pac·​tion im-ˈpak-shən How to pronounce impaction (audio)
: the act of becoming or the state of being impacted
specifically : lodgment or an instance of lodgment of something (as a tooth or feces) in a body passage or cavity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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