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

Examples of lung in a Sentence

He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inhaling that vapor can cause damage, including irritation to the eyes and nose, respiratory tract and lungs, bringing on symptoms like sore throats, runny noses, itching and burning eyes, dizziness, headaches and nausea. —Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 23 May 2026

Who Shouldn’t Try 4-7-8 Breathing Without Checking First The 7-second breath hold can feel uncomfortable for beginners or anyone with limited lung capacity. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026

Among lung cancer patients, 10% of those taking GLP-1 drugs progressed to stage 4 disease, compared with 22% of those taking DPP-4 inhibitors. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 23 May 2026

Other research also found these therapies reduce anxiety and pain and can even improve heart and lung function. —Laura Ungar, Fortune, 23 May 2026

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

Rhymes for lung

• bling
• bung
• clung
• dung
• flung
• fung
• hung
• rung
• slung
• sprung
• strung
• stung

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