1
a
: one of the usually paired compound saccular thoracic organs that constitute the basic respiratory organs of an air-breathing vertebrate
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
a
: a device enabling individuals abandoning a submarine to rise to the surface
b
: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lung : respirator compare iron lung
Examples of lung in a Sentence
He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.
Recent Examples on the Web
His brother Dennis drowned in 1983 while diving in Marina Del Rey, and Carl, his other brother, died of lung cancer in 1998.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
In 2020, Indiana had a lung cancer rate of 72.5 per 100,000 people, with Lake County as one of the state’s counties with the highest cancer mortality rates, according to the American Lung Association.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
The researchers applied worm larvae in patches on the subjects’ arms; after passing through the skin, the worms would travel through the blood stream, to the lungs and then to the small intestine.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
What Other Research Suggests About Morning Workouts The study did not prove that morning physical activity directly improved heart and lung health.
—Julia Ries, Health, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lung
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
In 2020, Indiana had a lung cancer rate of 72.5 per 100,000 people, with Lake County as one of the state’s counties with the highest cancer mortality rates, according to the American Lung Association.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
The researchers applied worm larvae in patches on the subjects’ arms; after passing through the skin, the worms would travel through the blood stream, to the lungs and then to the small intestine.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
What Other Research Suggests About Morning Workouts The study did not prove that morning physical activity directly improved heart and lung health.
—Julia Ries, Health, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lung
Cite this Entry
“Lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lung. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lung
noun1
a
: one of the usually paired organs forming the special breathing structure of vertebrates that breathe air
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
: a device (as an iron lung) to promote breathing and make it easier
Medical Definition
lung
noun1
a
: one of the usually two compound saccular organs that constitute the basic respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates, that normally occupy the entire lateral parts of the thorax and consist essentially of an inverted tree of intricately branched bronchioles communicating with thin-walled terminal alveoli swathed in a network of delicate capillaries where the actual gaseous exchange of respiration takes place, and that in humans are somewhat flattened with a broad base resting against the diaphragm and have the right lung divided into three lobes and the left into two lobes
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lungs : respirator see iron lung
lunged
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share