lung

lung · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Each of the pair of organs in the chest that draw in air and expel carbon dioxide, enabling breathing in humans and other air-breathing vertebrates.

  2. 2.

    An analogous organ in other animals.

Forms

plural: lungs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    at the top of one's lungs — as loudly as possible
  • •
    iron lung — a mechanical respirator used to assist breathing

Related words

See also: breathe, lungs, respiratory

Etymology

From Old English lungen (plural), from Proto-Germanic lungwo, related to light (in weight), as the lungs are the lightest internal organs.