occlusion

noun

oc·​clu·​sion ə-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of occluding : the state of being occluded: such as

a

: the complete obstruction of the breath passage in the articulation of a speech sound

b

: the bringing of the opposing surfaces of the teeth of the two jaws into contact

also : the relation between the surfaces when in contact

c

: the inclusion or sorption of gas trapped during solidification of a material

2

: the front formed by a cold front overtaking a warm front and lifting the warm air above the earth's surface

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What Do the Words occlusion, recluse, seclusion, and exclude Have in Common?

Occlusion is a descendant of the Latin verb occludere, meaning "to close up." Occludere in turn comes from the prefix ob-, here meaning "in the way," and the verb claudere, meaning "to close or shut." Occlusion is one of many English terms derived from claudere. Some others are recluse, seclusion, and exclude. An occlusion occurs when something has been closed up or blocked off. Almost all heart attacks are the result of the occlusion of a coronary (heart) artery by a blood clot. When a person's upper and lower teeth form a malocclusion, they close incorrectly or badly. An occlusion, or occluded front, happens when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a slow-moving warm front and slides underneath it, lifting the warm air and blocking its movement.

Examples of occlusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same can happen in the case of occlusions and missing data. —Jeff Mahler, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

One of these scans will focus on the blood vessels in the brain to check for a large vessel occlusion. —Mill Etienne, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

The tests showed a vascular occlusion, or a blood vessel blockage caused by a clot or pressure. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2025

This hazard, hard plastic, and many other physical hazards such as metal and rocks/stones can cause illness or injury to the consumer, including laceration, cuts to the tongue or gum, perforation, occlusion (choking), typically occurring immediately or shortly after consumption. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin occludere

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occlusion

• coronary occlusion

Rhymes for occlusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion

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Kids Definition

occlusion

noun

oc·​clu·​sion ə-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the coming together of the surfaces of the upper and lower teeth

2

: the front formed by a cold front overtaking a warm front and lifting the warm air over the cold air

Medical Definition

occlusion

noun

oc·​clu·​sion ə-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of occluding or the state of being occluded : a shutting off or obstruction of something

a coronary occlusion

especially : a blocking of the central passage of one reflex by the passage of another

2

a

: the bringing of the opposing surfaces of the teeth of the two jaws into contact

also : the relation between the surfaces when in contact

b

: the transient approximation of the edges of a natural opening

occlusion of the eyelids

3

: sorption

especially : sorption of gases