sputum

[ spyoo-tuhm ]

noun

, plural spu·ta [spyoo, -t, uh].

1. matter, as saliva mixed with mucus or pus, expectorated from the lungs and respiratory passages.

sputum

/ ˈspjuːtəm /

noun

1. a mass of salivary matter ejected from the mouth
2. saliva ejected from the mouth mixed with mucus or pus exuded from the respiratory passages, as in bronchitis or bronchiectasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of sputum¹

1685–95; < Latin spūtum, noun use of neuter of spūtus, past participle of spuere to spit, equivalent to spū- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of sputum¹

C17: from Latin: spittle, from spuere to spit out

Example Sentences

It also delivered results in less than four hours for urine, pus, and sputum samples, and within one day for blood samples.

From Science Daily

In this study, experts engineered a living material resembling natural sputum, or phlegm, from CF patients that can grow 3D polymicrobial biofilms in a controlled manner, resembling those found in the CF lung.

From Science Daily

A sign at the entrance to the clinic announces the other major health problem: "sputum sampling" for tuberculosis or TB.

From BBC

She said she was concerned because Tammy Daybell was just 49 and also had quite a bit of foamy pink sputum coming from her mouth.

From Seattle Times

They’ve also helped health clinics in Africa diagnose people with tuberculosis, detecting the bacteria in the sputum samples of 25,000 patients.

From Seattle Times