emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə, -ˈsē-\

medical : a disease in which the lungs become stretched and breathing becomes difficult

Full Definition of EMPHYSEMA

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues; specifically : a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized especially by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action

— em·phy·se·ma·tous \-ˈze-mə-təs, -ˈse-, -ˈzē-, -ˈsē-\ adjective

— em·phy·se·mic \-ˈzē-mik, -ˈsē-\ adjective

See emphysema defined for English-language learners

See emphysema defined for kids

Origin of EMPHYSEMA

New Latin, from Greek emphysēma, from emphysan to inflate, from em- ²en- + physan to blow, from physa breath — more at pustule

First Known Use: 1661

Rhymes with EMPHYSEMA

diastema, Hiroshima, Iwo Jima, Matsushima, terza rima

EMPHYSEMATOUS Defined for Kids

emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ˌem-fə-ˈzē-mə, -ˈsē-mə\

Definition of EMPHYSEMA for Kids

: a disease in which the lungs become stretched and inefficient

Medical Dictionary

emphysema

noun em·phy·se·ma \ˌem(p)-fə-ˈzē-mə, -ˈsē-\

Medical Definition of EMPHYSEMA

: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions in interstitial or subcutaneous tissues; specifically : a condition of the lung that is marked by distension and eventual rupture of the alveoli with progressive loss of pulmonary elasticity, that is accompanied by shortness of breath with or without cough, and that may lead to impairment of heart action