# emphysema

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/ · frequency rank #40,681

## Definitions
1. An abnormal accumulation of air or other gas in tissues, most commonly the lungs.
2. Ellipsis of pulmonary emphysema, a chronic lung disease, one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

## Etymology
Multiple origins. Partially from post-Classical Latin emphȳsēma (“swelling”), from Ancient Greek ἐμφῡ́σημα (emphū́sēma), from ἐμφῡσάω (emphūsáō, “to puff up”). Also borrowed from Middle French emphysema, from the same Latin source; compare French emphysème. Attested from the late 16th century.

## Common misspellings (14)
`emhpysema`, `emmphysema`, `emphhysema`, `emphsyema`, `emphyesma`, `emphyseam`, `emphysemma`, `emphysmea`, `emphyssema`, `emphyysema`, `empphysema`, `empyhsema`, `epmhysema`, `mephysema`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/emphysema