tachypnea
noun
tachy·pnea
ˌta-ki(p)-ˈnē-ə 
medical
: abnormally rapid breathing : increased rate of respiration
The patient had a clear airway and had tachypnea without hypoxemia.—
Jean E. Klig et al.
Jean E. Klig et al.
tachypneic
adjective
He was tachypneic and his extremities were mottled consistent with peripheral septic emboli.
—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Examples of tachypnea in a Sentence
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When exposed to excessive heat for long periods, children can develop central nervous system (CNS) symptoms including seizures, delirium or coma; or non-CNS symptoms like tachycardia, tachypnea, vomiting or diarrhea.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Addressing the cause of tachypnea can help prevent future episodes, which may require short- or long-term treatment strategies.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Addressing the cause of tachypnea can help prevent future episodes, which may require short- or long-term treatment strategies.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tachypnea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tachypnea. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tachypnea
noun
tachy·pnea
variants
or chiefly British tachypnoea
: abnormally rapid breathing : increased rate of respiration
Respiratory distress observed shortly after birth in large full-term infants who are delivered by cesarean section is frequently a result of transient tachypnea of the newborn.—The New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of MedicineThe patient had a clear airway and had tachypnea without hypoxemia.—Jean E. Klig et al.
Jean E. Klig et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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