Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

emphysema

Pronunciation: /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/
Definition of emphysema

noun

[mass noun] Medicine
  • 1 (also pulmonary emphysema) a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness: smoking can lead to serious lung diseases such as emphysema
  • 2a condition in which air is abnormally present within the body tissues.

Origin:

mid 17th century (in sense 2): via late Latin from Greek emphusēma, from emphusan 'puff up'

emphysema in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of emphysema in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

logomachy

/ ləˈgɒməki /
noun
an argument about words …