bronchiole

noun

bron·​chi·​ole ˈbräŋ-kē-ˌōl How to pronounce bronchiole (audio)
: a minute thin-walled branch of a bronchus
bronchiolar adjective

Examples of bronchiole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is an inflammatory condition that affects the bronchioles, tiny airways in the lungs. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 22 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin bronchiolum, diminutive of Late Latin bronchium "branch of a bronchus, bronchial tube" — more at bronchial

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bronchiole was circa 1860

Dictionary Entries Near bronchiole

Cite this Entry

“Bronchiole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bronchiole. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bronchiole

noun
bron·​chi·​ole ˈbräŋ-kē-ˌōl How to pronounce bronchiole (audio)
: a tiny thin-walled branch of a bronchial tube

Medical Definition

bronchiole

noun
bron·​chi·​ole ˈbräŋ-kē-ˌōl How to pronounce bronchiole (audio)
: a minute thin-walled branch of a bronchus
bronchiolar adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bronchiole

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