iron lung

noun

: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs

Examples of iron lung in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The iron lung is a negative pressure machine which surrounds the patient’s body except for the head, and alternates a negative atmospheric pressure with the ambient one, resulting in rhythmic expansion of the chest cage (and thus inhalation) in response to the negative extra thoracic pressure. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025

Only a single person in the U.S. is believed to still use an iron lung. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025

The small museum is connected to Rainy Day Revival, the curiosities shop, and Obscure Props, which rents out the oddball items — who here needs an iron lung or coffin? —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025

The most severe cases required the use of iron lungs — large machines that enabled paralyzed patients to breathe. —Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iron lung

• bremsstrahlung
• overhung
• among
• hirschsprung
• unsung
• bling
• bung
• clung
• dung
• flung
• fung
• hung

Kids Definition

iron lung

noun

: a device for artificial respiration in which the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest changes in a rhythm and forces air into and out of the lungs

Medical Definition

iron lung

noun

: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs especially when the nerves governing the chest muscles fail to function because of polio

called also Drinker respirator