pneumonia
noun
pneu·mo·nia
nu̇-ˈmō-nyə 
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
During an outbreak, about 1 in 5 children who get sick will need hospital care and 1 in 20 will develop pneumonia.
—
Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
Without vaccinations, the measles virus can cause respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization in about 1 in 5 cases; about 1 in 20 people with the virus will develop pneumonia.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
They were given a hot shower, then made to run through the snow to see who would get pneumonia and be sent to the gas chamber immediately.
—Gabra Zackman Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
The Doors star died April 1 at the age of 65 from pneumonia.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pneumonia
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Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
Without vaccinations, the measles virus can cause respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalization in about 1 in 5 cases; about 1 in 20 people with the virus will develop pneumonia.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
They were given a hot shower, then made to run through the snow to see who would get pneumonia and be sent to the gas chamber immediately.
—Gabra Zackman Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
The Doors star died April 1 at the age of 65 from pneumonia.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pneumonia
Cite this Entry
“Pneumonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumonia. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pneumonia
noun
pneu·mo·nia
n(y)u̇-ˈmō-nyə
: 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
: 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
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