# embolism

/ˈɛmboʊˌɫɪzəm/ (US) · /ˈɛmbəʊlˌɪzəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embolism
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical blockage

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a blockage in a blood vessel caused by a clot, air bubble, or other material that has moved through the blood.

For teachers: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus that has been transported via the circulatory system from another part of the body.

- The patient suffered a pulmonary embolism after a long flight without moving.
- A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, typically originating in the deep veins of the legs, dislodges and travels to the lungs.

Usage: Often used with a qualifying adjective to specify the location, such as 'pulmonary' or 'cerebral'.

Teaching tip: This is the primary sense used in modern English; other senses are highly specialized and rare.

### 2. calendar adjustment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

adding extra days to a calendar to make it match the solar year.

For teachers: the intercalation of days or months into a calendar to align the civil year with the solar or lunar year.

- The ancient calendar required a regular embolism to keep the seasons aligned.
- The Metonic cycle uses a specific pattern of embolism to reconcile the differences between lunar months and the solar year.

Usage: Usually uncountable in this sense.

Teaching tip: This sense is largely restricted to historical or astronomical contexts; 'intercalation' is more common in modern academic writing.

### 3. liturgical prayer

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a short prayer added after the Lord's Prayer in some church services.

For teachers: a short prayer for deliverance from evil that follows the Lord's Prayer in certain Christian liturgies.

- The priest recited the embolism before the congregation offered the sign of peace.
- In the Roman Rite, the embolism expands upon the final petition of the Pater Noster, focusing on the plea for peace and freedom from sin.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specific term used in liturgical studies and theology.

## Examples

- The doctor checked for an embolism in the patient's leg.
- A deep vein thrombosis can lead to a pulmonary embolism if the clot travels to the lungs.
- The patient was rushed to the intensive care unit after a sudden drop in oxygen levels suggested a possible cerebral embolism that had compromised blood flow to the brain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.