edema

American  

[ih-dee-muh] / ɪˈdi mə /

especially British, oedema

noun

Pathology.

plural

edemas, edemata

1. effusion of serous fluid into the interstices of cells in tissue spaces or into body cavities.

2. Plant Pathology.

   1. a small surface swelling of plant parts, caused by excessive moisture.

   2. any disease so characterized.

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edema British  

/ ɪˈdɛmətəs, ɪˈdiːmə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of oedema

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edema Scientific  

/ ĭ-dē′mə /

1. An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or body cavities. Edema can be mild and benign as in pregnancy or prolonged standing in the elderly, or a serious sign of heart, liver, or kidney failure, or of other diseases.

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Other Word Forms

• edematose adjective
• edematous adjective
• pseudoedema noun

Etymology

Origin of edema

First recorded in 1490–1500; from New Latin oedēma, from Greek oídēma “a swelling,” equivalent to oidē- (variant stem of oideîn “to swell”) + -ma noun suffix

Compare meaning

How does edema compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anasarca vs. edema
• angioedema vs. edema

Explanation

The word edema means swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues of the body. Edema often occurs in the feet, and could make it hard to comfortably fit into your shoes. First used as a 14th-century medical term, the noun edema is derived from the Greek word oidein meaning "to swell." Edema is a swelling that results from an excess of fluid trapped inside the body's tissue. It can be caused by certain diseases, some medications, sitting or standing in the same position for too long, or consuming a diet high in salt. Pregnant women often experience edema in their feet, ankles, and hands.

Example Sentences

In November, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for use in patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, a condition where leaky blood vessels in the eye cause swelling.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Potential adverse events the companies knew about included depression, suicidal ideation, somnolence, edema, dizziness and confusion, documents from lawsuits show.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

She said the condition, called Reinke's edema, makes touring challenging because it causes the "ultimate vocal fry".

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025

Acute exposure by inhalation can cause respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, congestion, edema and lung hemorrhages, while oral ingestion can cause adverse effects in the blood and thyroid.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

To keep Ngawang from having to exert himself, which would have exacerbated his edema, at several points during the descent, Beidleman picked up the ailing Sherpa and carried him on his back.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer