4 syllables: Em, py, e, ma. Stress on py.
em-PEYE-uh-muh
/ɛmˈpaɪəmə/
Empyema is pronounced em-PEYE-uh-muh (/ɛmˈpaɪəmə/). It has four syllables (Em-py-e-ma), with the stress on "py". Empyema is a medical condition in which pus accumulates within a pre-existing cavity, most commonly the pleural space around the lungs or a body cavity such as the sinuses. It results from infection and inflammation that trap purulent material, requiring medical drainage and antibiotic treatment. The term is used in clinical contexts and scholarly discussions of infectious disease and thoracic surgery.
nounEmpyema is a medical condition in which pus accumulates within a pre-existing cavity, most commonly the pleural space around the lungs or a body cavity such as the sinuses. It results from infection and inflammation that trap purulent material, requiring medical drainage and antibiotic treatment. The term is used in clinical contexts and scholarly discussions of infectious disease and thoracic surgery.
"The patient developed empyema after pneumonia, necessitating chest drainage."
"Thoracic surgeons evaluated the empyema for potential decortication to remove the fibrous peel around the lung."
"Chronic empyema can lead to persistent infection and reduced lung function if not treated promptly."
Pronounce as em-py-E-ma, with primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌɛm.pɪˈeɪ.mə/. Start with a short /e/ as in 'bed', then /m/ /p/ cluster, a relaxed /ɪ/ in the second syllable, a clear /eɪ/ in the third, and end with /mə/. Think: em-pee-AY-ma. An audio reference you can check is the standard medical pronunciation in online dictionaries or medical channels.
Common errors include: misplacing stress (saying em-py-E-ma with stress on the second syllable), mispronouncing the /eɪ/ as /ɛ/ (em-pi-EM-a or em-pie-ma), and swallowing the final /ə/ or making it /æ/ like 'emma'. Correct by emphasizing the third syllable and using /eɪ/ for the vowel in that syllable: em-pi-AY-ma, with a light schwa at the end. Recording yourself helps verify the rhythm and stress.
In US, UK, and AU accents the main differences are vowel quality in /iː/ vs /ɪ/ and the rhoticity that affects surrounding vowels; however, empyema is non-rhotic in most UK contexts, and US/AU speakers will still form /ˈeɪ/ in the third syllable. The primary stress remains on the third syllable /ˈeɪ/. In Australian English you may hear a slightly broader /eɪ/ and a less pronounced r-influence, but the pattern remains em-pi-AY-ma.
The difficulty comes from the multisyllabic structure with a mid-word vowel sequence and a stressed long diphthong /eɪ/ on the third syllable. The tricky parts are pronouncing the /p/ after /m/ as a clean cluster, and maintaining the correct energy on the /eɪ/ while not reducing the final /mə/ to a schwa-less 'ma'. Practice breakdown: em-pi-AY-ma, with a crisp /eɪ/ and a soft, quick final /mə/.
The unique aspect is the stress on the diphthong-containing third syllable and the following unstressed final schwa. Unlike many medical terms with stress on the first or second syllable, empyema centers its emphasis on /eɪ/ in the third syllable, requiring precise vowel length and mouth posture to sustain /eɪ/ before a light /mə/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Empyema"!
US: rhotic influence is minimal in this word; focus on the diphthong /eɪ/ and a clear /mə/ ending. UK: often non-rhotic; maintain /ˈeɪ/ quality while ending with a relaxed /mə/. AU: similarly non-rhotic; watch final vowel length and reduce over-articulation of the final consonant. - Vowel shifts: /ɪ/ is near a short i; in some speakers the second syllable might be slightly reduced. Maintain /ɪ/ as a clear, unstressed vowel. - Consonants: /m/ and /p/ cluster requires a tight transition; avoid a hiatus between /m/ and /p/ by closing lips quickly.
Empyema comes from the Greek em- (in, within) and pumon (lung) combined with the -yema suffix from pyema, meaning pus or suppuration. The form reflects its original association with pulmonary infection: empyema thoracis (in the chest). The earliest medical uses trace to medieval and early modern Latin texts that described “empyema” as a contained purulent collection, often in pleural or sinus spaces. By the 18th and 19th centuries, clinical descriptions expanded to include empyema of the pleural cavity in tuberculosis and pneumonia patients, with surgeons calling for drainage and decortication. In modern medicine, the term encompasses purulent collections in various anatomical compartments (pleural, pericardial, subdural, sinus) and is tightly associated with infectious etiologies. The core idea—pus trapped within a natural cavity—remains constant, while the specific anatomical context has diversified with advances in imaging, microbiology, and surgical techniques. The pronunciation and spelling stabilized in English by the 19th century, aligning with standard medical terminology.”,
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Empyema" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Empyema" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Empyema" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Empyema"
-ema sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
