pneumonitis

noun

pneu·mo·ni·tis | \ ˌnü-mə-ˈnī-təs

, ˌnyü- \

Definition of pneumonitis

: acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs that is characterized especially by cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and fever, and may result in the development of fibrotic scar tissue when chronic or untreated

Note: While pneumonitis and pneumonia are often used synonymously, pneumonitis is typically used when the cause is a noninfectious agent (such as a chemical or radiation).

The fungus caused an outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs triggered by an allergic reaction.— Faye Rice

Examples of pneumonitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Those numbers compare with more than 41,000 people without Down syndrome who died, but just 20% died from the coronavirus, 14% from pneumonia or pneumonitis and 65% died of other causes. — Shelby Lin Erdman And Katia Hetter, CNN, "People with Down syndrome have 10 times the risk of death from Covid-19 as those without, study finds," 23 Oct. 2020 Symptoms of pneumonitis may include: new or worsening cough; chest pain; and shortness of breath. — Kara Wahlgren, Good Housekeeping, "How Helping Her Father Through Cancer Changed One Woman's Outlook on Life," 8 Apr. 2020 Symptoms of pneumonitis may include: new or worsening cough; chest pain; and shortness of breath. — Kara Wahlgren, Good Housekeeping, "How Helping Her Father Through Cancer Changed One Woman's Outlook on Life," 8 Apr. 2020 Symptoms of pneumonitis may include: new or worsening cough; chest pain; and shortness of breath. — Kara Wahlgren, Good Housekeeping, "How Helping Her Father Through Cancer Changed One Woman's Outlook on Life," 8 Apr. 2020 Serious side effects may include: ● Lung problems (pneumonitis). — Rachel Reiff Ellis, Woman's Day, "How a Lung Cancer Diagnosis Gave One Woman a New Lease on Life," 17 Mar. 2020 Symptoms of pneumonitis may include: new or worsening cough; chest pain; and shortness of breath. — Rachel Reiff Ellis, Woman's Day, "How a Lung Cancer Diagnosis Gave One Woman a New Lease on Life," 17 Mar. 2020 The most common side effects in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include cough, feeling tired, inflammation in the lungs (pneumonitis), upper respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and rash. — Astrazeneca, USA TODAY, "Tapping into the immune system shows promise in stage 3 lung cancer," 3 June 2019 She was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis with fibrosis in 2004 and enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. — Caroline Lester, The New Yorker, "The Continuing Legacy of 9/11," 11 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pneumonitis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Pneumonitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumonitis. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for pneumonitis

pneumonitis

noun

pneu·mo·ni·tis | \ ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈnīt-əs

plural pneumonitides\ -ˈnit-ə-ˌdēz

Medical Definition of pneumonitis

Note: While pneumonitis and pneumonia are often used synonymously, pneumonitis is typically used when the source is a noninfectious agent.

… mold in damp indoor environments is associated with upper respiratory (nasal and throat) tract symptoms, cough, hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible people, wheeze, and asthma symptoms … — Michele Melton, The Forsyth County News (Cumming, Georgia), 14 July 2013 In one incident this year, a worker was treated for chemical pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs caused by chemical exposure. — Annette Cary, The Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington), 30 Oct. 2014 … studies have suggested that one such condition—radiation-induced pneumonitis—may occur in up to 15 percent of patients receiving radiation therapy for lung cancer.— John George, The Philadelphia Business Journal, 1 Oct. 2014

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