1
: an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity
called also dropsy
2
a
: watery swelling of plant organs or parts
b
: any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings
Examples of edema in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This leads to fluid building up in the lungs (the pulmonary edema) and systemic circulatory collapse.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
This accounted for the leg edema, the treating of which was straightforward and was cleared within a few days.
—Dr. Eric Topol, Time, 8 May 2025
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was pneumonia and cerebral edema.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Early signs include fever, low body temperature, rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, confusion, and the swelling of tissues (edema).
—Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edema
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Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
This accounted for the leg edema, the treating of which was straightforward and was cleared within a few days.
—Dr. Eric Topol, Time, 8 May 2025
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was pneumonia and cerebral edema.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Early signs include fever, low body temperature, rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, confusion, and the swelling of tissues (edema).
—Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for edema
Cite this Entry
“Edema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edema. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
edema
noun
ede·ma
i-ˈdē-mə 
: an abnormal collection of watery fluid in a bodily tissue or cavity
Medical Definition
edema
noun
ede·ma
variants
or chiefly British oedema
plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata
-mət-ə
or chiefly British oedemata
: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity
called also dropsy
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