Pulmonary
adjective /ˈpʌl.mə.nɛr.i/ — Relating to the lungs; of breathing and breath
Definition
Relating to the lungs — the organs of breath, of oxygen, of the body's most fundamental rhythm. Pulmonary medicine treats the lungs; pulmonary function is the capacity to breathe and sustain life.
Beyond the definition
Pulmonary is breath made anatomical — and breath is the most intimate thing, the body's constant contract with life. Every mindfulness practice, every moment of panic, every held breath is pulmonary experience.
Origin & history
Latin: pulmo (lung). The lung as the site of breath and therefore life. In many traditions, breath is soul — the pulmonary is where the body touches the spirit.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The pandemic caused pulmonary damage that persisted long after recovery.
Pulmonary rehabilitation teaches the lungs to do again what they should do naturally.
He smoked for thirty years. The pulmonary scans told the whole story.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Pulmonary” when the meaning fits your context: Relating to the lungs — the organs of breath, of oxygen, of the body's most fundamental rhythm. Pulmonary medicine treats the lungs; pulmonary function is the capacity to breathe and sustain life.
Synonyms
of the lungs, respiratory, of breathing
Related words
Pulmonary vs respiratory
Pulmonary refers specifically to the lungs and their functions. Respiratory covers the entire breathing system, including airways like the throat and nose.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Spirit Raising in Wind
An adult on a hilltop raises their arms while wind whips their hair.
The hilltop setting emphasizes the physical act of deep, open breathing. Pulmonary refers to the lungs, the organs of breath and fundamental rhythm, which expand to support the body during moments of release or high-spirited physical exertion.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Pulmonary" mean?
Pulmonary is adjective meaning: Relating to the lungs; of breathing and breath. Relating to the lungs — the organs of breath, of oxygen, of the body's most fundamental rhythm. Pulmonary medicine treats the lungs; pulmonary function is the capacity to breathe and sustain life.
Where does the word "Pulmonary" come from?
Latin: pulmo (lung). The lung as the site of breath and therefore life. In many traditions, breath is soul — the pulmonary is where the body touches the spirit.