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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vital capacity was in 1852

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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