lung

noun

ˈləŋ 

1

a

: one of the usually paired compound saccular thoracic organs that constitute the basic respiratory organs of an air-breathing vertebrate

b

: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates

2

a

: a device enabling individuals abandoning a submarine to rise to the surface

b

: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lung : respirator compare iron lung

lungful

ˈləŋ-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Example Sentences

He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.

Recent Examples on the Web

The A-6 Intruder pilot died in 2018 at age 61 of lung cancer. —Tara Copp, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2023

The A-6 Intruder pilot died in 2018 at age 61 of lung cancer. —Tara Copp, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Mar. 2023

The A-6 Intruder pilot died in 2018 at age 61 of lung cancer. —CBS News, 19 Mar. 2023

The A-6 Intruder pilot died in 2018 at age 61 of lung cancer. —Tara Copp, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Mar. 2023

Radon is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 15 Mar. 2023

About 7 million people every year die from diseases caused by air pollution, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections, according to the World Health Organization. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2023

Willett died of pancreatic cancer in 2007, and Triola died of lung cancer two years later. —Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2023

Ever since the Food and Drug Administration approved osimertinib for some early-stage lung cancer patients to take after surgery, clinicians have debated whether the evidence suggested the drug was worth the cost. —Angus Chen, STAT, 10 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English lunge, from Old English lungen; akin to Old High German lungun lung, līhti light in weight — more at light

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lung

• black lung
• book lung
• heart-lung machine
• small-cell lung cancer
• iron lung
• brown lung
• farmer's lung

• black lung
• book lung
• heart-lung machine
• small-cell lung cancer
• iron lung
• brown lung
• farmer's lung

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Kids Definition

lung

noun

ˈləŋ 

1

a

: one of the usually paired organs forming the special breathing structure of vertebrates that breathe air

b

: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates

2

: a device (as an iron lung) to promote breathing and make it easier

Medical Definition

lung

noun

ˈləŋ 

1

a

: one of the usually two compound saccular organs that constitute the basic respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates, that normally occupy the entire lateral parts of the thorax and consist essentially of an inverted tree of intricately branched bronchioles communicating with thin-walled terminal alveoli swathed in a network of delicate capillaries where the actual gaseous exchange of respiration takes place, and that in humans are somewhat flattened with a broad base resting against the diaphragm and have the right lung divided into three lobes and the left into two lobes

b

: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates

2

: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lungs : respirator see iron lung

lunged adjective