aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm ˈan-yə-ˌri-zəm 

variants or less commonly aneurism

: an abnormal blood-filled bulge of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from weakening (as from disease) of the vessel wall

aneurysmal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

adjective

Examples of aneurysm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ruth Leavitt Fallon, an artist who explored computers as a form of self expression more than 50 years ago and who was recently recognized for her pioneering work, died of a thoracic aortic aneurysm Jan. 16 at her Charles Village home. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025

Peltier’s supporters pushed Biden to act because Peltier is 80 and has health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble and an aortic aneurysm discovered in 2016, according to his lawyers. —Colleen Long and Zeke Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025

This can result from various factors, including brain tumors, high blood pressure, head injuries, or aneurysms in the brain. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 12 Dec. 2024

Veterinarians treating a bearded dragon whose aneurysm had led to an enlarged temporo-orbital artery discovered that a reptile’s pulse can be taken at the back of its head. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek aneurysma, from aneurynein to dilate, from ana- + eurynein to stretch, from eurys wide — more at eury-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aneurysm

noun

an·​eu·​rysm

variants also aneurism

ˈan-yə-ˌriz-əm 

: an abnormal blood-filled dilatation of a blood vessel and especially an artery resulting from disease of the vessel wall

aneurysmal adjective

also aneurismal

ˌan-yə-ˈriz-məl 

aneurysmally

-ē 

adverb