ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
Synonyms of ailment
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Raw dairy, his farm has claimed, could cure, treat or prevent myriad diseases and ailments, from diabetes and ear infections to allergies, eczema and arthritis. CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Vivi Sanchez Salinas with MiSalud, a nonprofit that contracts with farms to offer counseling services, said the stress of potential immigration enforcement may hamper productivity and show up in the form of physical ailments, for example, trouble sleeping, stomach issues and headaches. Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 Now, leading medical organizations like the World Health Organization recognize obesity as a chronic medical condition that can drive numerous other health ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and potentially even cancer. Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Before going down with the season-ending ailment, Thornton had unseated Chau Smith-Wade as the team’s starting nickel corner prior to the Week 11 win over Atlanta. Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailment

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailment was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

More from Merriam-Webster on ailment

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster