lung

IPA/lʌŋ/
KK[lˈʌŋ]IPA/lʌŋ/

lung — noun

  • lungsingular
  • lungsplural

1. each of the two body parts inside the chest that humans and many animals use for

1.nounA2
Definition

each of the two body parts inside the chest that humans and many animals use for breathing, taking in oxygen from the air and removing carbon dioxide

Example

The doctor listened to Christopher's lungs with a stethoscope during the check-up.

collocation: listen to someone's lungs

Smoking can cause serious damage to a person's lungs over time.

collocation: cause damage to the lungs

Common collocations
  • lung cancer
  • lung disease
  • lung capacity
  • collapsed lung
  • clear one's lungs
  • deep in the lungs

Grammar Patterns

usually plural: lungs

Usage Note

Usually used in the plural form 'lungs' because the organs come as a pair. The singular 'lung' is used when referring to one of them specifically (e.g., 'the right lung', 'a collapsed lung').

Common Mistakes

The infection is in my lung.' (when the infection affects both sides)
The infection is in my lungs.
When both organs are affected, use the plural form.
Idioms

at the top of one's lungs

idiom

as loudly as possible, usually when shouting or screaming

The children in the playground were shouting at the top of their lungs.

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

  • lung cancer
  • lung disease
  • lung infection
  • lung capacity
  • lung transplant
  • lung function

Phrases

  • fill one's lungs with
  • clear one's lungs
  • damage to the lungs

Prepositions

  • in the lungs
  • into the lungs
  • from the lungs

Etymology

Old EnglishProto-GermanicEnglish

The word 'lung' comes from Old English 'lungen', which traces back to a root meaning 'light' (not heavy). Ancient people noticed that animal lungs float in water because they are lighter than other body organs, and named them accordingly. Related words exist in German 'Lunge' and Dutch 'long'.