noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   Each of a pair of smooth serous membranes which line the thorax and envelop the lungs in humans and other mammals.

   "The lungs […] may be said to be inclosed in separate bags, or to have distinct pleuras."

2. 2
   plural of pleuron form-of, plural
3. 3
   the thin serous membrane around the lungs and inner walls of the chest wordnet
4. 4
   A lateral part in an animal body or structure.

Synonyms

All synonyms

allantoic membraneamnionamniotic sacarachnoid membranebasement membraneconjuctiva

Example

More examples

"The x-ray shows there's something lodged between the pleura and this rib."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin pleura.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Related phrases

pulmonary pleuraserous membrane

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.