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
When Harrison died of pneumonia a month into his term, John Tyler became the first vice president to succeed a president who died in office.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
Retton has been open about her health struggles, specifically a rare form of pneumonia, in the past.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
In October 2023, McKenna, now 28, revealed that Retton was hospitalized and in the ICU with a rare form of pneumonia.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 May 2025
Changes in a woman's immune system during pregnancy increases the risk of complications like pneumonia from many respiratory viruses, including Covid.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pneumonia
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
Retton has been open about her health struggles, specifically a rare form of pneumonia, in the past.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
In October 2023, McKenna, now 28, revealed that Retton was hospitalized and in the ICU with a rare form of pneumonia.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 May 2025
Changes in a woman's immune system during pregnancy increases the risk of complications like pneumonia from many respiratory viruses, including Covid.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 May 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 4 Jun. 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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