iron lung

noun

: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs

Examples of iron lung in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
On this day in 1928: The iron lung was first used on this day at the Boston Children’s Hospital. The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024 An iron lung helps a young boy with polio to breathe, c. 1955. Jon Lapook, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024 The girl’s parents agreed to experimental treatment with Dr. Stahlman, who pulled the iron lung out of storage in the basement. Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 3 July 2024 Then there was the pianist who was rolled onstage in an iron lung and the local official who was a patient of the chinodonist and wore a ridiculous headgear to fix his underbite. Peter White, Deadline, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for iron lung 

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of iron lung was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near iron lung

Cite this Entry

“Iron lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron%20lung. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

iron lung

noun
: a device for artificial respiration in which the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest changes in a rhythm and forces air into and out of the lungs

Medical Definition

iron lung

noun
: a device for artificial respiration in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into and out of the lungs especially when the nerves governing the chest muscles fail to function because of polio

called also Drinker respirator

More from Merriam-Webster on iron lung

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