embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌli-zəm 

plural embolisms

1

: the insertion of one or more days in a calendar : intercalation

2

a

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

b

: embolus

embolismic

ˌem-bə-ˈliz-mik 

adjective

Examples of embolism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s why Lillard reportedly went on blood-thinning medications for a while — to prevent a pulmonary embolism. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Not long after, Hailey died from a rare complication known as amniotic fluid embolism, or AFE. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

Cox, Lori’s brother, died in December 2019 of what the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner said was a pulmonary embolism. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025

While the death of Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, is an unsolved murder, rapper Heavy D died in 2011 from a pulmonary embolism after a long flight and foul play has never been suspected. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embolisme, from Medieval Latin embolismus, from Greek embol- (from emballein to insert, intercalate) — more at emblem

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embolism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden blocking of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus

Medical Definition

embolism

noun

em·​bo·​lism ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

2

: embolus