iron lung
noun
a chamberlike respirator, formerly used in the treatment of poliomyelitis, that encloses the whole body except the head and in which alternate pulsations of high and low pressure induce normal breathing movements or force air into and out of the lungs.
Origin of iron lung
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby iron lung
iron grey,
iron guard,
iron hand,
iron horse,
iron law of wages,
iron lung,
iron maiden,
iron man,
iron meteorite,
iron mold,
iron out
British Dictionary definitions for iron lung
iron lung
noun
an airtight metal cylinder enclosing the entire body up to the neck and providing artificial respiration when the respiratory muscles are paralysed, as by poliomyelitis
Irish informal
a gas container used in dispensing beer
Medical definitions for iron lung
iron lung
n.
Drinker respirator