bronchospasm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “bronchospasm” mean?
A sudden, involuntary constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchial tubes, causing narrowing of the airways.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden, involuntary constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchial tubes, causing narrowing of the airways.
A clinical event or symptom in respiratory medicine, often associated with asthma, allergies, or anaphylaxis, characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing due to airway obstruction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Spelling is identical. The term is used identically in medical contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical, with no additional cultural connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and technical in both UK and US English, confined to medical, nursing, and paramedic fields.
Grammar
How to Use “bronchospasm” in a Sentence
The patient developed/experienced/suffered from bronchospasm.The medication can induce/prevent/relieve bronchospasm.Bronchospasm occurred following exposure to...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bronchospasm” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The anaesthetic agent can bronchospasm in rare cases.
- Patients with hyper-reactive airways may bronchospasm easily.
American English
- The chemical irritant caused the airways to bronchospasm.
- Some individuals bronchospasm in response to cold air.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- The bronchospasm episode was documented.
- She presented with bronchospasm symptoms.
American English
- The bronchospasm response was immediate.
- He has a history of bronchospasm events.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, and pharmacology research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation. A layperson might say 'severe asthma attack' or 'breathing tightened up'.
Technical
The primary context. Used in patient notes, clinical diagnoses, medical manuals, and drug information leaflets (e.g., 'may cause bronchospasm in susceptible patients').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bronchospasm”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bronchospasm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bronchospasm”
- Misspelling as 'bronchospazm' or 'broncospasm'.
- Using it as a general term for any breathing problem.
- Pronouncing the 'ch' as /tʃ/ (like 'chair') instead of /k/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Bronchospasm is a key component of an asthma attack, but an asthma attack also involves inflammation and mucus production. Bronchospasm can occur in other conditions too.
Yes, if severe and untreated, bronchospasm can lead to respiratory failure and death. This is why it is a medical emergency.
Bronchospasm affects the lower airways (bronchi), while laryngospasm affects the upper airway (larynx or voice box), causing a sudden blockage.
It is typically treated with fast-acting bronchodilator medications (like albuterol/salbutamol) which relax the airway muscles, often delivered via an inhaler or nebuliser.
A sudden, involuntary constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchial tubes, causing narrowing of the airways.
Bronchospasm is usually technical/medical in register.
Bronchospasm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɒŋ.kəʊˌspæz.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɑːŋ.koʊˌspæz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRONCHO (airway tubes) + SPASM (sudden muscle cramp). A 'spasm in the bronchi'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE AIRWAYS ARE MUSCULAR TUBES THAT CAN CRAMP/SEIZE UP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary physiological event in a bronchospasm?