lead poisoning

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of lead poisoning

: chronic intoxication that is produced by the absorption of lead into the system and is characterized especially by fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, and muscular paralysis or weakness of limbs — called also saturnism

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Recent Examples of lead poisoning from the Web

In cities where children suffer from lead poisoning, workers could be trained and equipped to remediate pipes and playgrounds.

— livia gershon, Longreads, "More than Make-Work," 22 May 2018
Within the past few years, the PD investigated (and continues to investigate) infant mortality, childhood lead poisoning, and death from opioids.

— george rodrigue, cleveland.com, "Subscribers' role in local journalism is more vital today than ever before : George Rodrigue," 27 Apr. 2018
Such places are less healthy, with substantially higher rates of lead poisoning, depression, teenage pregnancy and premature death.

— The Economist, "Fifty years after Martin Luther King’s death, a divided America," 4 Apr. 2018
At one home where city officials worked recently, a child's lead poisoning was traced to a dog that was tracking in contaminated soil from a nearby parkway.

— tony barboza, latimes.com, "Lawmakers seek $16 million to expand Exide lead cleanup beyond yards," 23 May 2018
His lawyers say that before the shooting, Williams was hospitalized for extreme lead poisoning.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Agreement: false confession obstructed justice," 22 May 2018
Like many industrial cities, Milwaukee has had a major lead poisoning problem for decades.

— mary spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A battle is brewing between Milwaukee and paint industry over lead poisoning of Milwaukee children," 7 May 2018
Samet said lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Officials: Taylor Creek Youth Organization sports field contaminated with lead, arsenic," 7 May 2018
Dave Scott, the Carolina Raptor Center's staff veterinarian, considers the link between lead poisoning and gun ammunition to be solid.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Lead poisoned the bald eagle's bloodstream. But here's why she was luckier than some. | Charlotte Observer," 27 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of lead poisoning

circa 1842

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

lead poisoning

noun

medical Definition of lead poisoning

: a serious acute or chronic condition that is caused by exposure and absorption of lead (such as lead carbonate) and is characterized by variable symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, impaired cognitive development or function, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, encephalopathy, seizures, paralysis, and kidney damage — called also plumbism, saturnism