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
lungful noun

Examples of lung in a Sentence

He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.
Recent Examples on the Web Coleman's daughters initially said on their GoFundMe account that their father was getting treatment to clear his lungs. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024 Those eggs clog the lungs, spleen, liver and hearts of hosts along with immune cells called granulomas that fight them. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Supporting systems have to deal with a perfect storm of rising heart, lung, and kidney disease, heat stress and heat stroke, lost labor capacity, infectious diseases, and food insecurity at the same time. Rob Reddick, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 The long notes ended after her father became addicted to menthols, developed debilitating respiratory problems and died at age 73 from lung and throat cancer. USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Gina remained married to Wilson until his death from lung cancer in 1998, per the Los Angeles Times. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Circadian clocks keep time everywhere from your liver and lungs to your nose and toes. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 In the clip, Luna and her mom snuggled up on the couch to watch the video, when Luna suddenly screeched at the top of her lungs. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 His character starts as a light-hearted goof who sings at the top of his lungs and embraces his lover, Ennis (a subdued Ledger), without fear or self-consciousness. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lung.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lunge, from Old English lungen; akin to Old High German lungun lung, līhti light in weight — more at light

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lung was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lung

Cite this Entry

“Lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lung. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lung

noun
1
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

noun
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on lung

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