pneumonitis

noun pneu·mo·ni·tis \ ˌnü-mə-ˈnī-təs , ˌnyü- \

Updated on: 25 Mar 2018

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).

Recent Examples of pneumonitis from the Web

Symptoms of pneumonitis may include shortness of breath, chest pain, or new or worse cough.

— SI.com, "Report: John Stockton's Son David Signs 10-Day Contract With Jazz," 16 Mar. 2018
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been referred to as bird breeder’s lung and mushroom picker’s disease in specific occupations with a risk of HP from biological dusts.

— hillary gavan, The Seattle Times, "2 lung transplants save Wisconsin man’s life," 10 Jan. 2018
The couple suffered another blow 2 ½ years ago when Kaj Anderson was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis with fibrosis.

— hillary gavan, The Seattle Times, "2 lung transplants save Wisconsin man’s life," 10 Jan. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of pneumonitis

New Latin, from Greek pneumōn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1817

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

pneumonitis

noun pneu·mo·ni·tis \ ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈnīt-əs \

medical Definition of pneumonitis

plural pneumonitides play \-ˈnit-ə-ˌdēz\

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