pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia nu̇-ˈmō-nyə 

nyu̇-

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia compare pneumonitis

Examples of pneumonia in a Sentence

He caught pneumonia over the winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rosenblatt died Tuesday of pneumonia at a Santa Barbara hospital, a family spokesperson announced. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024

Eddie Rosenblatt, the longtime president of Geffen Records who signed John Lennon and built a roster of rock and alternative acts including Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana, died of pneumonia on Tuesday at a Santa Barbara hospital surrounded by family, his son Michael told The Times. —Kimberly Aguirre, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

Williams died from complications of viral pneumonia, according to the team. —Jacob Lev, CNN, 18 July 2024

Similar capabilities have been demonstrated in diagnosing sepsis, pneumonia, blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), acute kidney injury and other conditions. —Anupam B. Jena, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pneumōn lung, alteration of pleumōn — more at pulmonary

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pneumonia

• double pneumonia
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
• primary atypical pneumonia
• walking pneumonia

Kids Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: a disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection

Medical Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia