noun
edema
ih-DEE-muh
Edema (noun) means swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues. Example: “Her ankles showed signs of edema after the long flight.”
noun
1
Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
"Her ankles showed signs of edema after the long flight."
"The doctor prescribed a diuretic to reduce the edema in his legs."
2
A similar water-logged swelling that occurs in plants.
"Overwatering the succulent led to edema, leaving bumpy patches on its leaves."
How to use edema
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPuffy swelling from fluid buildup, most often in the legs, feet, or hands.
UK vs US
British English usually spells it "oedema."
Common pairings
pulmonary edema
swelling and edema
edema in the ankles
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Word forms
- Plural
- edemas, edemata
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her ankles showed signs of _____ after the long flight.
Etymology
From Greek oidēma ("swelling"), via New Latin oedema — related to oidein, "to swell."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for edema
See all rhymes for edema →Frequently asked questions
What does “edema” mean?
The word “edema” means swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues. In plain terms, puffy swelling from fluid buildup, most often in the legs, feet, or hands.
How do you pronounce “edema”?
“Edema” is pronounced ih-DEE-muh (/ɪˈdiː.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “edema” in a sentence?
Here is “edema” used in a sentence: “Her ankles showed signs of edema after the long flight.”
What is another word for “edema”?
Words with a similar meaning to “edema” include hydrops, dropsy and hydropsy.
What part of speech is “edema”?
“Edema” is a noun.
Where does the word “edema” come from?
The word “edema” comes from New Latin. From Greek oidēma ("swelling"), via New Latin oedema — related to oidein, "to swell.".
How many meanings does “edema” have?
“Edema” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
