1
: viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages
2
: the one of the four humors (see humor sense 2c) in ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be cold and moist and to cause lethargy and dullness
3
a
: dull or apathetic coldness or indifference
b
: intrepid coolness or calm fortitude
Synonyms
Examples of phlegm in a Sentence
He displayed remarkable phlegm in very dangerous conditions.
a man of remarkable phlegm, never showing enthusiasm nor displeasure
Recent Examples on the Web
The cough is typically a dry cough, without phlegm.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Hippocrates was guided in his thinking by the theory of humoral medicine, which posited that there are four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), which must be balanced for good health.
—Nina Elkadi, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2024
Baby wet cough: A wet cough causes phlegm or mucus (which contains white blood cells to help fight germs) to form in the baby's airways.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
Depending on what those results show, the next step can be a blood test or a phlegm sample.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for phlegm 
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Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Hippocrates was guided in his thinking by the theory of humoral medicine, which posited that there are four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), which must be balanced for good health.
—Nina Elkadi, JSTOR Daily, 2 Oct. 2024
Baby wet cough: A wet cough causes phlegm or mucus (which contains white blood cells to help fight germs) to form in the baby's airways.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
Depending on what those results show, the next step can be a blood test or a phlegm sample.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for phlegm
Dictionary Entries Near phlegm
Cite this Entry
“Phlegm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phlegm. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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Medical Definition
phlegm
noun1
: viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages
2
: the one of the four humors (see humor sense 2) of ancient and medieval physiology that was believed to be cold and moist and to cause lethargy and dullness
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