bronchiectasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “bronchiectasis” mean?
A chronic medical condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs are permanently widened and damaged.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chronic medical condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs are permanently widened and damaged.
A pathological, irreversible dilatation of one or more bronchi, usually resulting from chronic infection, inflammation, or obstruction, leading to impaired mucus clearance and recurrent infections.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation follows standard national patterns (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical; a purely clinical term with no additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and confined to medical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bronchiectasis” in a Sentence
Patient HAS bronchiectasis.Bronchiectasis IS CAUSED BY infection.Bronchiectasis IS DIAGNOSED WITH a CT scan.Treatment AIMS TO MANAGE bronchiectasis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bronchiectasis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bronchiectatic changes were evident on the scan.
- She has a bronchiectatic lung segment.
American English
- The bronchiectatic changes were clear on the scan.
- He was diagnosed with a bronchiectatic lobe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biomedical research papers, clinical studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only if discussing a personal medical diagnosis.
Technical
The primary context: clinical notes, radiology reports, pulmonology textbooks, doctor-patient consultations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bronchiectasis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bronchiectasis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bronchiectasis”
- Misspelling: 'bronchectasis', 'bronkiecstasis'.
- Mispronouncing: placing stress on the first syllable (/ˈbrɒŋ.ki.../).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He bronchiectasised').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While all are chronic lung conditions, bronchiectasis is defined by specific structural damage (widening) to the bronchi, whereas asthma involves reversible airway constriction and COPD involves airflow obstruction, often from emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
No, the structural damage is permanent. However, the condition can be managed effectively with treatments aimed at controlling infections, clearing mucus, and preventing further damage.
The stress is on the third syllable: bron-ki-ECK-ta-sis. In British English, the first syllable sounds like 'bron' in 'bronze'. In American English, it sounds like 'brahn'.
It is a specialist medical term. It is very uncommon in everyday conversation but is standard vocabulary within healthcare professions, particularly pulmonology, radiology, and physiotherapy.
A chronic medical condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs are permanently widened and damaged.
Bronchiectasis is usually technical / medical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRONCHI (airways) + ECTASIS (stretching out) = stretched-out airways.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAMAGED PIPES (The bronchi are metaphorically seen as pipes that have become abnormally widened and scarred, losing their proper function.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of bronchiectasis?