# murmur

/ˈmɝmɝ/ (US) · /mˈɜːmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/murmur
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a soft, low sound made by many people at the same time. In medicine, it describes a specific sound heard in the heart or lungs that doctors use to diagnose problems.

For teachers: a low, continuous sound produced by a group of people or by the movement of air through a passage. In a medical context, it refers to a specific type of sound heard during auscultation, such as a heart murmur or a lung murmur.

## Examples

- The doctor listened for a heart murmur.
- During the physical exam, the physician detected a faint murmur in the patient's lungs.
- The presence of a systolic murmur can indicate a structural issue with the heart valves, requiring further diagnostic imaging to determine the extent of the damage.

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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.