pneumonia
nyoo-MOH-nee-uh
Pneumonia (noun) means a lung infection, usually caused by bacteria or a virus, that inflames the air sacs and can fill them with fluid. Example: “He was hospitalized with pneumonia after the flu turned severe.”
noun
1
A lung infection, usually caused by bacteria or a virus, that inflames the air sacs and can fill them with fluid.
"He was hospitalized with pneumonia after the flu turned severe."
"Elderly patients are at higher risk of complications from pneumonia."
"Rest and antibiotics helped her recover from pneumonia within a few weeks."
How to use pneumonia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA serious lung infection that makes breathing difficult and often requires medical treatment.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
develop pneumonia
bacterial pneumonia
walking pneumonia
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Word forms
- Plural
- pneumonias, pneumoniæ, pneumoniae
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He was hospitalized with _____ after the flu turned severe.
Etymology
From Greek pneumon, "lung," combined with a suffix meaning "disease of."
Synonyms
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lung infection
chest infection
Rhymes for pneumonia
See all rhymes for pneumonia →Frequently asked questions
What does “pneumonia” mean?
The word “pneumonia” means a lung infection, usually caused by bacteria or a virus, that inflames the air sacs and can fill them with fluid. In plain terms, a serious lung infection that makes breathing difficult and often requires medical treatment.
How do you pronounce “pneumonia”?
“Pneumonia” is pronounced nyoo-MOH-nee-uh (/nuˈmoʊniə/ in IPA).
How do you use “pneumonia” in a sentence?
Here is “pneumonia” used in a sentence: “He was hospitalized with pneumonia after the flu turned severe.”
What part of speech is “pneumonia”?
“Pneumonia” is a noun.
Where does the word “pneumonia” come from?
The word “pneumonia” comes from Greek. From Greek pneumon, "lung," combined with a suffix meaning "disease of.".
Is “pneumonia” a common word?
“Pneumonia” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
Is pneumonia contagious?
Pneumonia itself is not always contagious, but the bacteria or viruses that cause it can spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Whether it spreads depends on the underlying germ, since some cases are caused by non-contagious factors like inhaling fluid or chemicals.
What is the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that inflames the air sacs and can fill them with fluid, while bronchitis involves inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lungs. Pneumonia tends to be more serious and is more likely to involve fever, chest pain, and fluid buildup.
What is the difference between viral and bacterial pneumonia?
Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacteria and often comes on suddenly with severe symptoms, while viral pneumonia is caused by a virus and tends to develop more gradually. Both inflame the air sacs of the lungs, but they typically require different treatments.
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