aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm ˈan-yə-ˌri-zəm 

variants or less commonly aneurism

: an abnormal blood-filled bulge of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from weakening (as from disease) of the vessel wall

aneurysmal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

adjective

Examples of aneurysm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pretti provided care and comfort after Fouts underwent surgery to repair a descending aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the artery delivering blood from the heart to the rest of the body. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026

Sources familiar with the matter told Politico that LaMalfa suffered an aneurysm followed by a heart attack during surgery. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

In 2020, Evan Kates was struck with a devastating brain aneurysm. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026

The county said these diagnostic services will help cardiologists diagnose and treat conditions like congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysms, heart rhythm disorders and valvular heart disease. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek aneurysma, from aneurynein to dilate, from ana- + eurynein to stretch, from eurys wide — more at eury-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aneurysm

• alyssum
• cataclysm

Medical Definition

aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm

variants also aneurism

ˈan-yə-ˌriz-əm 

: an abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from disease of the vessel wall

aneurysmal adjective

also aneurismal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

aneurysmally

-ē 

adverb