edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə How to pronounce edema (audio)
1
: an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy

2
a
: watery swelling of plant organs or parts
b
: any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

Examples of edema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Viper venoms are often dominated by toxins known as metalloproteinases, which are a diverse group of tissue-destroying proteins whose effects range from hemorrhaging edema, inflammation, hypotension to necrosis. Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Others diagnosed it as a sign of high-altitude cerebral edema, a potentially deadly swelling of the brain. John Branch, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2023 Before the game, the Bulls announced that the 6-foot-7 forward has acute bone edema and will get reassessed in about two weeks. Patrick Rose, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 In the above scenario, if the patient had a fever the likely diagnosis would be cellulitis, but if the patient suffered a motor vehicle accident the subcutaneous edema would likely be from a contusion. Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 How to help avoid getting malar edema An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taryn Brooke, Allure, 1 Feb. 2024 In the following days, under the care of Celeste Sheppard, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, and others, Yeni’s pulmonary edema improved with blood-pressure medications. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Those listed by the CDC include a low-moderate fever, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, myalgia, rash and edema around the eyes and on the back of hands during the first four days. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023 Symptoms can include temporary blindness, dizziness, headache, nausea, pulmonary edema, seizures, and coma in humans. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edema.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of edema was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near edema

Cite this Entry

“Edema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edema. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

edema

noun
ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə How to pronounce edema (audio)
: an abnormal collection of watery fluid in a bodily tissue or cavity

Medical Definition

edema

noun
ede·​ma
variants or chiefly British oedema
plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata
-mət-ə
or chiefly British oedemata
: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy

More from Merriam-Webster on edema

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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