pneumonia

noun

pneu·​mo·​nia nu̇-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce pneumonia (audio)
nyu̇-
: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia compare pneumonitis

Examples of pneumonia in a Sentence

He caught pneumonia over the winter.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors CNN founder and media mogul Ted Turner was hospitalized due to pneumonia in January, and is now recovering in a rehab center in his home state of Florida. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Listen to this article Loading your audio article Media mogul Ted Turner was reportedly hospitalized for pneumonia and is recovering in a Florida rehabilitation center. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025 Inflammation of the lungs' lining (pleura) that can develop due to a lung infection, such as pneumonia, or an underlying lung condition. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Dec. 2024 Brittany died at 32 years old, with her cause of death noted as pneumonia. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pneumonia 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, from pneumōn lung, alteration of pleumōn — more at pulmonary

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumonia was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near pneumonia

Cite this Entry

“Pneumonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumonia. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pneumonia

noun
pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce pneumonia (audio)
: a disease of the lungs marked by inflammation, congestion, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing and caused especially by infection

Medical Definition

pneumonia

noun
pneu·​mo·​nia n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə How to pronounce pneumonia (audio)
: an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and reduced lung expansion, and is typically caused by an infectious agent (as a bacterium, virus, or fungus) see bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary atypical pneumonia

More from Merriam-Webster on pneumonia

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