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
Examples of lung in a Sentence
He filled his lungs with the clean. fresh air.
Recent Examples on the Web
An autopsy by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the victim suffered a perforated lung, stomach, diaphragm and small intestine.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Among the chemicals identified were benzyl chloride, a compound used in the production of sanitizers and plasticizers that is possibly carcinogenic and can cause harm to the lungs and digestive tract.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026
The doctor hears crackling with every breath your daughter takes, as air moves through the fluid trapped in her lungs.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lung
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Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Among the chemicals identified were benzyl chloride, a compound used in the production of sanitizers and plasticizers that is possibly carcinogenic and can cause harm to the lungs and digestive tract.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026
The doctor hears crackling with every breath your daughter takes, as air moves through the fluid trapped in her lungs.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lung
Cite this Entry
“Lung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lung. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lung
noun1
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
noun1
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
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