thromboembolism

noun

throm·​bo·​em·​bo·​lism ˌthräm-bō-ˈem-bə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce thromboembolism (audio)
: the blocking of a blood vessel by a particle that has broken away from a blood clot at its site of formation
thromboembolic
ˌthräm-bō-em-ˈbä-lik How to pronounce thromboembolism (audio)
adjective

Examples of thromboembolism in a Sentence

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.
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined House died from an unprovoked pulmonary thromboembolism — when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. — Sydney Brammer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026 Medical professionals later determined Cox’s cause of death was acute pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis, according to the death report. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026 Pulmonary embolism is a type of venous thromboembolism, which also includes deep vein thrombosis. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Feb. 2026 Simisola Ade, a physician assistant based in London in the United Kingdom, previously told Newsweek that sitting still for long periods—especially on flights over four hours—can elevate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thromboembolism

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thromboembolism was in 1895

Rhymes for thromboembolism

See All Rhymes for thromboembolism

Browse Nearby Words

thrombocytopenia
thromboembolism
thrombogen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thromboembolism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thromboembolism. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

thromboembolism

noun
throm·​bo·​em·​bo·​lism ˌthräm-bō-ˈem-bə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce thromboembolism (audio)
: the blocking of a blood vessel by a particle that has broken away from a blood clot at its site of formation

More from Merriam-Webster on thromboembolism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thromboembolism

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All