edema

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablemedical

   Swelling in part of the body caused by extra fluid collecting in the tissues.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable, but a type of it can be countable: pulmonary edema is one kind.

   Patterns

   • edema in something
   • edema of something

   After the long flight, she developed edema in both ankles.

   The doctor checked for edema by pressing a thumb into the patient's shin.

   Pregnant women sometimes notice mild edema in the feet and hands.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   Abnormal buildup of fluid in a plant's tissues, causing blisters or swollen areas on leaves.

   Grammar: Used in gardening and botany: edema on the leaves.

   Patterns

   • edema on something

   Overwatering can cause edema, leaving small blisters on geranium leaves.

   The greenhouse manager diagnosed edema in the tomato plants.

   Cool, damp conditions often make edema worse in houseplants.

Word forms

Common combinations

pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema makes it hard to breathe because fluid fills the lungs.

peripheral edema

Peripheral edema often shows up in the legs and feet.

cerebral edema

Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain and needs urgent care.

reduce edema

Raising the legs can help reduce edema.

suffer from edema

Many patients with heart failure suffer from edema.

Synonyms and how they differ

swelling

Swelling is the everyday word for any enlargement, including from injury, while edema names swelling specifically caused by fluid.

puffiness

Puffiness is an informal, milder description of slight swelling, often in the face, and does not suggest a medical diagnosis.

dropsy

Dropsy is an old term for edema and now sounds out of date.

Word family

edematous adjective

affected by edema, swollen with fluid

oedema noun

the British spelling

anti-edema adjective

working against swelling

Commonly confused: edema or inflammation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “edema”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words