pulmonary

adjective

pul·​mo·​nary ˈpu̇l-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce pulmonary (audio) ˈpəl- How to pronounce pulmonary (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, affecting, or occurring in the lungs
pulmonary tissue
pulmonary edema
b
: carried on by the lungs
pulmonary respiration
2
3
: occurring in the pulmonary artery
a pulmonary embolism

Examples of pulmonary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a chronic disease that causes scarring in the lungs and leads to a reduced oxygen uptake. CNN Money, 17 June 2026 The 52-year-old was diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that damages and scars lung tissue. ABC News, 17 June 2026 Confined to his home after a pulmonary embolism and two heart attacks, Ibrahim Alfa Jnr. H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026 Medical professionals later determined Cox’s cause of death was acute pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis, according to the death report. Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pulmonary

Word History

Etymology

Latin pulmonarius, from pulmon-, pulmo lung; akin to Greek pleumōn lung, Sanskrit kloman right lung

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pulmonary was in 1704

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pulmonary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulmonary. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

pulmonary

adjective
pul·​mo·​nary ˈpu̇l-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce pulmonary (audio) ˈpəl- How to pronounce pulmonary (audio)
1
: relating to, affecting, or occurring in the lungs
2
: carried on by the lungs
pulmonary respiration

Medical Definition

pulmonary

adjective
pul·​mo·​nary ˈpu̇l-mə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce pulmonary (audio) ˈpəl- How to pronounce pulmonary (audio)
: relating to, functioning like, associated with, or carried on by the lungs

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