lead poisoning

noun

: chronic intoxication that is produced by the absorption of lead into the system and is characterized especially by fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, and muscular paralysis or weakness of limbs

called also saturnism

Examples of lead poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Yet biologists continued finding condors that had died of lead poisoning. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 June 2026 But many still went unchecked, said Brenda Council, a longtime lead poisoning prevention advocate in the city. — Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026 Black children growing up in properties, often rentals, in the central and north side of the city have higher rates of lead poisoning than White children in other parts of the city, even though the ages of the homes are comparable. — Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 6 May 2026 Leonard said there's a need for the large aviary because there's an uptick in raptors brought in that are suffering from lead poisoning or other injuries, such as being struck by a car, and the property doesn't have a large enough enclosure to help them all. — Dana Hedgpeth The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lead poisoning

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of lead poisoning was circa 1842

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

leadplant

lead poisoning

leadscrew

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lead poisoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20poisoning. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lead poisoning

noun

: an abnormal condition that is caused by absorption of lead into the body and results in various bodily symptoms (as tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite, and paralysis or weakness of the muscles)

Medical Definition

lead poisoning

noun

: a serious acute or chronic condition that is caused by exposure and absorption of lead (such as lead carbonate) and is characterized by variable symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, impaired cognitive development or function, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, anemia, a dark line along the gums, encephalopathy, seizures, paralysis, and kidney damage

called also plumbism, saturnism

lead poisoning

noun

Examples of lead poisoning in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on lead poisoning

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes