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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
noun
: pulmonary disease (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation
—abbreviation COPD
Examples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One case was Sharon Dibble, a 75-year-old with many health problems, including kidney failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2024
Always a heavy smoker, Obst passed away at age 74 from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024
Deuel's wife, Jacqueline, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died in hospice care on Dec. 22 in Largo, Fla., after struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024
His wife, Jacqueline Deuel, also confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the late actor died in hospice care in Largo, Florida after struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was
in 1967
Dictionary Entries Near chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20obstructive%20pulmonary%20disease. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
noun
variants
also chronic obstructive lung disease
: pulmonary disease (as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation
called also COPD
More from Merriam-Webster on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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