-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment
Synonyms
Examples of ailment in a Sentence
She suffered from a chronic back ailment.
The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Then, on Thursday, the zoo decided to euthanize Keesha, a 28-year-old sloth bear who was not responding to treatment for several ailments, including severe arthritis of the spine, Magill said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024
But the new findings focused on heavy metals add another layer to this picture and start to get at the causes of the composer’s ailments, the team writes in the letter.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ailment
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ailment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near ailment
Cite this Entry
“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Medical Definition
ailment
noun
ail·ment
ˈā(ə)l-mənt
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
More from Merriam-Webster on ailment
Nglish: Translation of ailment for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of ailment for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share