toxemia

noun

tox·​e·​mia täk-ˈsē-mē-ə 

1

: an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood

2

: preeclampsia

toxemic

täk-ˈsē-mik 

adjective

Examples of toxemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are several terms – some medical, some colloquial – that are used online for the electrolyte imbalance that comes from overconsumption of fluids, including water toxicity, water intoxication, hyponatremia, water toxemia and hyperhydration. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023

Preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, is a pregnancy condition that can cause serious complications and is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 19 Jan. 2023

An otherwise healthy 28-year-old had died from toxemia poisoning caused by pre-eclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that went untreated. —Erica L. Green, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

toxemia

noun

tox·​emia

täk-ˈsē-mē-ə

: an abnormal condition caused by toxic substances in the blood

Medical Definition

toxemia

noun

tox·​e·​mia

variants or chiefly British toxaemia

täk-ˈsē-mē-ə 

: an abnormal condition associated with the presence of toxic substances in the blood: as

a

: a generalized intoxication due to absorption and systemic dissemination of bacterial toxins from a focus of infection

b

: intoxication due to dissemination of toxic substances (as some by-products of protein metabolism) that cause functional or organic disturbances (as in the kidneys)

toxemic adjective

or chiefly British toxaemic

-mik