pneumonectomy

noun

pneu·​mo·​nec·​to·​my ˌnü-mə-ˈnek-tə-mē 

ˌnyü-

plural pneumonectomies

: excision of an entire lung or of one or more lobes of a lung

Examples of pneumonectomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The custom hardware solved a physiological puzzle that has made bilateral pneumonectomy, the removal of both lungs, extremely risky before now. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 Jan. 2026

Among other things, pneumonectomy patients are told to avoid scenarios that could lead to respiratory infections — such as the crowded indoor space of a detention center or a prison. — David Noriega, NBC news, 27 June 2025

According to doctors interviewed by NBC News — including a thoracic surgeon, a pulmonologist and a primary care physician — detaining a patient so soon after a pneumonectomy raises serious alarms from a medical perspective. — David Noriega, NBC news, 27 June 2025

Nogueira and her colleagues studied data available via the National Cancer Database for individuals 18 years or older who received a lobectomy or pneumonectomy for stages 1 to 3 lung cancer between 2004 and 2021. — Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025

This is especially true when comparing lobectomy to pneumonectomy. — Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek pneumōn + International Scientific Vocabulary -ectomy

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pneumonectomy

• appendectomy
• hepatectomy
• hysterectomy
• iridectomy
• laminectomy
• laryngectomy
• oophorectomy
• prostatectomy
• sympathectomy
• thyroidectomy
• tonsillectomy
• adrenalectomy

Medical Definition

pneumonectomy

noun

pneu·​mo·​nec·​to·​my ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈnek-tə-mē 

plural pneumonectomies

: surgical excision of an entire lung or of one or more lobes of a lung

called also pneumectomy, pulmonectomy

compare segmental resection