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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
noun
: pulmonary disease (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation
—abbreviation COPD
Examples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Leonard died on February 27, 2015 at age 83 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but his legacy lives on.
—Jp Mangalindan, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The medicine stands to keep generating higher revenue, especially after receiving approval from regulators in Europe and the US to treat the lung condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 25 Oct. 2024
People with the lung disease COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) have a new treatment option: a multitasking medication called Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) that was just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a maintenance therapy.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2024
Long-term exposure to it can cause chronic and progressive lung diseases including silicosis, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was
in 1967
Dictionary Entries Near chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20obstructive%20pulmonary%20disease. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
noun
variants
also chronic obstructive lung disease
: pulmonary disease (as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation
called also COPD
More from Merriam-Webster on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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