pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia nu̇-ˈmō-nyə 

nyu̇-

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia compare pneumonitis

Examples of pneumonia in a Sentence

He caught pneumonia over the winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

During an outbreak, about 1 in 5 children who get sick will need hospital care and 1 in 20 will develop pneumonia. —Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025

Without vaccinations, the measles virus can cause respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization in about 1 in 5 cases; about 1 in 20 people with the virus will develop pneumonia. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025

They were given a hot shower, then made to run through the snow to see who would get pneumonia and be sent to the gas chamber immediately. —Gabra Zackman Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

The Doors star died April 1 at the age of 65 from pneumonia. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pneumōn lung, alteration of pleumōn — more at pulmonary

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pneumonia

• double pneumonia
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
• primary atypical pneumonia
• walking pneumonia

Rhymes for pneumonia

• ammonia
• begonia
• bronchopneumonia
• pleuropneumonia

Kids Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: a disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection

Medical Definition

pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə 

: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia