Emphysema is a serious medical condition that occurs when the lungs become larger and do not work properly, causingdifficulty in breathing.
emphysema in British English
(ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə)
noun pathology
1. Also called: pulmonary emphysema
a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing
2.
the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part
Derived forms
emphysematous (ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs, -ˈsiː-)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from New Latin, from Greek emphusēma, a swelling up, from emphusan to inflate, from phusan to blow
emphysema in American English
(ˌɛmfəˈsimə; also ˌ ɛmfəˈzimə)
noun
1.
an abnormal swelling of body tissues caused by the accumulation of air; esp., such a swelling of the lung tissue, due to the permanent loss of elasticity, or the destruction, of the alveoli, which seriously impairs respiration
ModL < Gr emphysēma, inflation < emphysaein, to inflate, blow in < en-, in + physaein, to blow < IE *phus- < base *pu-, *phu-, echoic of blowing with puffed cheeks
Examples of 'emphysema' in a sentence
emphysema
He died of a heart attack after a long battle with emphysema and cancer.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It includes diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The Sun (2007)
You may know it by the more familiar names of emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
The Sun (2016)
Air pollution can lead to bronchitis and emphysema and can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
More people are likely to have been vulnerable to respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis as a result.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Drinking less than half a cup lowered blood pressure in those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema and let them exercise for longer.
The Sun (2015)
They cause lung cancer, emphysema and bronchitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They all think they are invincible and immune to lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema.
The Sun (2008)
Singing is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to increase lung capacity and ease the symptoms of bronchitis and emphysema.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He has leukaemia and emphysema.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It used to be called chronic bronchitis or emphysema and it is caused, almost always, by smoking.
The Sun (2015)
He has no intention of giving these delicacies up, but wonders if this was the cause of his chronic bronchitis and emphysema rather than smoking when younger.