sputum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Medical/Clinical, Formal
Quick answer
What does “sputum” mean?
Mucus and other matter that is coughed up from the lungs, trachea, or throat, especially as a symptom of illness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Mucus and other matter that is coughed up from the lungs, trachea, or throat, especially as a symptom of illness.
In medical and clinical contexts, refers specifically to expectorated matter used for diagnostic analysis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English. Both use it primarily in medical contexts.
Connotations
Strongly clinical/medical connotation in both varieties. Can have unpleasant/repulsive connotations in non-medical contexts.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language for both varieties, but standard in medical terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “sputum” in a Sentence
produce sputumsubmit a sputum sampleanalyse the sputum for [pathogen]note the appearance of the sputumVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in medical and biological research papers, e.g., 'Sputum samples were analysed for bacterial load.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when describing specific medical symptoms to a doctor.
Technical
Standard term in pulmonology, pathology, microbiology, and respiratory therapy for material expectorated from the lower respiratory tract.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sputum”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sputum”
- Using 'saliva' or 'spit' interchangeably with 'sputum'.
- Misspelling as 'sputtem' or 'sputam'.
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'phlegm' might be more expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Saliva is produced by salivary glands in the mouth. Sputum is mucus and matter specifically from the lungs or lower respiratory tract that is coughed up.
It is very clinical. In everyday situations, people are more likely to use words like 'phlegm' or simply 'mucus from my chest'.
Sputum analysis is a key diagnostic tool for identifying respiratory infections (like tuberculosis, pneumonia), lung conditions (like cystic fibrosis, COPD), and sometimes cancers.
A laboratory test where a sample of sputum is placed in a special medium to see if bacteria or fungi grow, helping to identify the cause of an infection.
Mucus and other matter that is coughed up from the lungs, trachea, or throat, especially as a symptom of illness.
Sputum is usually medical/clinical, formal in register.
Sputum: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspjuːtəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspjuːtəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SPU' as in 'spew' (to eject) and 'TUM' as in 'from the tum' (body). It's matter spewed from inside the body.
Conceptual Metaphor
Sputum as a diagnostic text / Sputum as a signifier of internal state.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sputum' most appropriately used?