1
a
: one of the usually paired compound saccular thoracic organs that constitute the basic respiratory organs of an air-breathing vertebrate
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
a
: a device enabling individuals abandoning a submarine to rise to the surface
b
: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lung : respirator compare iron lung
lungful noun

Examples of lung in a Sentence

He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His wife Dana cared for him heroically and remained committed to his advocacy work after his death at the age of 52, only to tragically succumb to lung cancer just 17 months later. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024 Tobacco use is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for 80 to 90% of cases nationwide. Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 26 Nov. 2024 Yu, who suffers from lung cancer, now has the benefit of sunlight streaming in from the west, Murphy said. Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024 In June, Kara was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lung 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lunge, from Old English lungen; akin to Old High German lungun lung, līhti light in weight — more at light

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lung was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lung

Cite this Entry

“Lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lung. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lung

noun
1
a
: one of the usually paired organs forming the special breathing structure of vertebrates that breathe air
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
: a device (as an iron lung) to promote breathing and make it easier

Medical Definition

lung

noun
1
a
: one of the usually two compound saccular organs that constitute the basic respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates, that normally occupy the entire lateral parts of the thorax and consist essentially of an inverted tree of intricately branched bronchioles communicating with thin-walled terminal alveoli swathed in a network of delicate capillaries where the actual gaseous exchange of respiration takes place, and that in humans are somewhat flattened with a broad base resting against the diaphragm and have the right lung divided into three lobes and the left into two lobes
b
: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
2
: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lungs : respirator see iron lung
lunged adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on lung

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!