# lung

/ˈɫəŋ/ (US) · /lˈʌŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lung
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. breathing organ

noun · CEFR B1

one of the two parts inside your chest that you use to breathe.

For teachers: either of the two main organs of respiration in humans and many other vertebrates, located in the chest cavity.

- Smoking can cause serious damage to your lungs over time.
- The surgeon explained how the patient's left lung had been compromised by the infection, necessitating a prolonged course of antibiotics.

### 2. capacity for breath

noun · CEFR B2

your ability to breathe deeply or hold your breath during exercise.

For teachers: the capacity for breathing or the power of the voice, often used in the plural to describe physical stamina.

- The young singer has a powerful set of lungs.
- After months of high-altitude training, the athlete found she had the lungs to maintain a sprinting pace during the final lap.

### 3. source of fresh air

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

an area of trees or a park that provides fresh air for a city.

For teachers: an area of parkland or forest that provides a source of fresh air for a populated area.

- The central park is often called the green lung of the city.
- Urban planners argued that preserving the ancient woodland was essential, as it served as the primary lung for the industrial district.

## Examples

- Smoking causes serious damage to your lungs.
- The doctor listened to her lungs with a stethoscope to check for signs of infection.
- The capacity of the human lung can be significantly increased through consistent aerobic exercise, which improves the efficiency of oxygen transport to the muscles.

---

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.