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vital capacity
noun
: the breathing capacity of the lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration
Examples of vital capacity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But as our commitment to pluralism waned, that system broke down and that vital capacity eroded.
—Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2021
The three best divers in the group had an average vital capacity of 7.9 liters, while the three worst averaged just 6.7 liters.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 27 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vital capacity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1852, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near vital capacity
Cite this Entry
“Vital capacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vital%20capacity. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
vital capacity
noun
: the breathing capacity of the lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after one full act of breathing in
Medical Definition
vital capacity
noun
: the breathing capacity of the lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration
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