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

In 2024, Lynch publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking, and that any future directing would have to be done remotely. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025

Lynch’s family announced his death on Thursday after he was diagnosed with emphysema. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025

Director David Lynch, also known for co-creating the series Twin Peaks, died at the age of 78 after being diagnosed with emphysema in 2020. —Meredith Nardino, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

Last year, the director revealed he had been diagnosed in 2020 with emphysema, a lung disease caused primarily by smoking. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

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