What Does COPD Mean in Medical Terms?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Long-term lung disease causing airflow blockage and breathing difficulty.

Where you will see COPD

You will most often see COPD in respiratory and ventilation charts.

Example

A chart note might use “COPD” as shorthand for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

• 6MWT — six-minute walk test
• A-a gradient — alveolar-arterial gradient
• AAT — alpha-1 antitrypsin
• AATD — alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• ABG — arterial blood gas
• ABPA — allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• accidental extubation — accidental extubation (event)
• acinus — acinus (pulmonary anatomy)

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.