hemoptysis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (very low frequency, highly specialized term)Technical/Scientific/Medical (used exclusively by medical professionals and in medical literature; not used in everyday conversation)
Quick answer
What does “hemoptysis” mean?
The medical condition of coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The medical condition of coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs.
While primarily a medical term, it may be used figuratively in literary contexts to describe something violent, distressing, or purgative, though such usage is extremely rare. There is no extended or slang meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage. The spelling 'haemoptysis' is the standard British form. The pronunciation of the initial 'h' is optional in both dialects.
Connotations
Identical. Both denote a serious, potentially life-threatening symptom.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to medical contexts. The American spelling 'hemoptysis' is more common globally in medical journals.
Grammar
How to Use “hemoptysis” in a Sentence
Patient + presents with + hemoptysisHemoptysis + is + caused by + conditionTo + investigate/manage + hemoptysisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hemoptysis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient began to haemoptysise.
- He was haemoptysising throughout the night.
American English
- The patient began to hemoptysize.
- He was hemoptysizing throughout the night.
adjective
British English
- There was no haemoptysic event.
- A haemoptysic patient requires urgent care.
American English
- There was no hemoptysic event.
- A hemoptysic patient requires urgent care.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and health sciences literature and lectures to describe a specific clinical sign.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The phrase 'coughing up blood' is used instead.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical notes, diagnoses, medical textbooks, and discussions between healthcare professionals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hemoptysis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hemoptysis”
- Misspelling: 'hemoptosis', 'hemoptsyis'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (HE-moptysis).
- Confusing it with 'hematemesis'.
- Using it in non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can be a symptom of lung cancer, hemoptysis has many potential causes including bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary embolism.
You should seek immediate medical attention. Coughing up any amount of blood is a significant symptom that requires professional evaluation to determine the cause.
Diagnosis involves a detailed medical history, physical examination, imaging tests like a chest X-ray or CT scan, and often bronchoscopy to directly visualize the airways.
The standard British spelling is 'haemoptysis', following the British preference for the 'ae' digraph in words derived from Greek.
The medical condition of coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs.
Hemoptysis is usually technical/scientific/medical (used exclusively by medical professionals and in medical literature; not used in everyday conversation) in register.
Hemoptysis: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈmɒp.tɪ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪˈmɑːp.tə.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HEMO' (blood) + 'PTYSIS' (spitting). It's the spitting of blood, specifically from the lungs via a cough.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY AS CONTAINER / DISEASE AS INVADER. The lungs, as a container, are breached, allowing the vital fluid (blood) to escape in an abnormal, alarming way.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key distinction between hemoptysis and hematemesis?