emphysema
noun
em·phy·se·ma
| \ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə
, -ˈsē-
\
, -ˈsē-
\
Definition of emphysema
: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues
specifically
: a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized especially by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action
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Other Words from emphysema
emphysematous
\ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈze-mə-təs
, -ˈse- , -ˈzē- , -ˈsē- \
adjective
, -ˈse- , -ˈzē- , -ˈsē- \
adjective
emphysemic
\ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mik
, -ˈsē- \
adjective
, -ˈsē- \
adjective
Examples of emphysema in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As expected, mice exposed to cigarette smoke developed emphysema, whereas the mice exposed to vapor did not. — Linda Carroll, NBC News, "Vaping may disrupt immune cells in the lungs, mouse study finds," 4 Sep. 2019 The strongest association between a pollutant and emphysema was seen with exposure to ozone, which was the only pollutant associated with an additional decline in lung function. — Katie Hunt, CNN, "Exposure to polluted air is like smoking a pack a day, study says," 14 Aug. 2019 Smoking burns tobacco, releasing toxic tars into the lungs and leading to problems including heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and asthma. — Michael Siegel, National Review, "CDC’s Bias Against E-Cigarettes Is Putting Kids’ Lives at Risk," 27 Aug. 2019 Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center is offering a new lung valve treatment for patients with severe emphysema, a life-threatening form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "Health briefing: UCF’s Limbitless Solutions partners with 3-D manufacturer," 12 July 2019 Indeed people who suffer from labile epilepsy, end-stage emphysema, or exquisite peanut allergies requiring immediate EpiPen availability should not be left to suffer the tragic dilemma of Alec Smith. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: For people who need medicine to survive, let’s solve this problem now," 9 June 2019 His main outings are trips to the VA hospital in Salt Lake City for cortisone shots in his sore shoulders and checkups for emphysema and diabetes. — Paul Overberg, WSJ, "The Loneliest Generation: Americans, More Than Ever, Are Aging Alone," 11 Dec. 2018 Russell won reelection in 1966 and died of emphysema in 1971, thus passing from the scene before the tides of racial realignment swept down ballot in the 1970s and ’80s. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "The fight over renaming the Russell Senate Office Building after John McCain, explained," 29 Aug. 2018 Ecker’s father, at 89, requires full-time oxygen for emphysema and had contracted pneumonia. — Lauran Neergaard, The Seattle Times, "AP-NORC Poll: Many caregivers neglecting their own health," 15 Oct. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emphysema.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for emphysema
emphysema
noun
English Language Learners Definition of emphysema
medical
: a disease in which the lungs become stretched and breathing becomes difficult
See the full definition for emphysema in the English Language Learners Dictionary
emphysema
noun
em·phy·se·ma
| \ ˌem-fə-ˈzē-mə
, -ˈsē-mə\
, -ˈsē-mə\
Kids Definition of emphysema
: a disease in which the lungs become stretched and inefficient
emphysema
noun
em·phy·se·ma
| \ ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə
, -ˈsē-
\
, -ˈsē-
\
Medical Definition of emphysema
: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions in interstitial or subcutaneous tissues
specifically
: a condition of the lung that is marked by distension and eventual rupture of the alveoli with progressive loss of pulmonary elasticity, that is accompanied by shortness of breath with or without cough, and that may lead to impairment of heart action
Other Words from emphysema
emphysematous
\ -ˈzem-ət-əs
, -ˈsem-
, -ˈzēm-
, -ˈsēm-
\
adjective
, -ˈsem-
, -ˈzēm-
, -ˈsēm-
\
adjective
emphysemic
\ -ˈzē-mik
, -ˈsē-
\
adjective
, -ˈsē-
\
adjective