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 noun

Examples of lung in a Sentence

He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the time, Mellencamp was undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer that had metastasized to her brain and lungs. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 Young children have to use spacers, holding chambers that allow the patient to breathe in the medication slowly so more of it reaches the lungs, and a spacer would hinder a dry-powder inhaler’s effectiveness. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 The cause of death was respiratory failure, related to lung cancer. Jr Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025 Brewers fans are resting their lungs to yell at Counsell, while Cubs fans are taking out small-business loans to afford tickets and beer at a Wrigley Field playoff game. Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lung

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lung was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lung. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lung

noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on lung

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