anuresis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “anuresis” mean?
The inability to urinate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The inability to urinate; retention of urine in the bladder.
A medical condition characterized by the failure to pass urine, often due to obstruction, neurological dysfunction, or kidney failure. In some contexts, it can refer to the suppression of urine formation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical, with no additional cultural connotations in either region.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Used with identical frequency in medical contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “anuresis” in a Sentence
Patient + experience + anuresisCondition + lead to + anuresisTreatment + for + anuresisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anuresis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anuretic patient was catheterised immediately.
- An anuretic state can indicate renal failure.
American English
- The anuretic patient was catheterized immediately.
- An anuretic state can indicate kidney failure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and nursing textbooks, research papers on urology or nephrology.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'can't pee' or 'urine retention'.
Technical
Standard term in clinical notes, diagnoses, and specialist communication among doctors.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anuresis”
- Using it to mean 'bedwetting' (that's enuresis).
- Confusing it with 'anuria'.
- Using it in everyday conversation where simpler terms exist.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Anuresis (urine retention) is a symptom where urine is produced but not expelled. Kidney failure (anuria/oliguria) is where little or no urine is produced. However, severe kidney failure can result in anuresis.
It is highly inadvisable. It is a technical medical term. In everyday situations, phrases like 'can't urinate', 'having trouble peeing', or 'urine retention' are appropriate.
Anuria means no urine is being produced by the kidneys. Anuresis means urine is being produced but is retained in the bladder and cannot be voided.
Not in common use. The related adjective is 'anuretic'. Clinicians would use phrases like 'the patient is anuretic' or 'experiencing anuresis' rather than a single verb.
The inability to urinate.
Anuresis is usually technical/medical in register.
Anuresis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌænjʊˈriːsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænjʊˈriːsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A' (without) + 'uresis' (urination) = without urination. Link it to 'anuria' but remember the 'S' in anureSis for 'Stuck' urine.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOCKAGE IS A FAILURE (of the normal flow process).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'anuresis'?