emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: 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

emphysematous

ˌem(p)-fə-ˈze-mə-təs  -ˈse-  -ˈzē-  -ˈsē- 

adjective

emphysemic

ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mik  -ˈsē- 

adjective

Examples of emphysema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

MacDonald, who now manages her condition with a medication used to treat emphysema and still experiences severe breathing difficulties that require her to be connected to an oxygen machine continuously, agrees. —Bymyriam Vidal Valero, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024

Between the lines: Smoke inhalation can harm people with all sorts of health conditions, from those with asthma and emphysema to heart attack survivors. —Steph Solis, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024

The results help doctors diagnose diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, assess severity of those conditions and monitor declines in lung function. —Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Telomeres were there, cystic fibrosis, emphysema—all have research programs dedicated to them now. —Stephen Buranyi, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek emphysēma, from emphysan to inflate, from em- en- entry 2 + physan to blow, from physa breath — more at pustule

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: a condition marked by abnormal enlargement of the air spaces of the lungs, shortness of breath, and often by faulty heart action

Medical Definition

emphysema

noun

em·​phy·​se·​ma ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə  -ˈsē- 

: 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

emphysematous

-ˈzem-ət-əs  -ˈsem-  -ˈzēm-  -ˈsēm- 

adjective

emphysemic

-ˈzē-mik  -ˈsē- 

adjective