altitude sickness

noun

: the effects (such as headache, nausea, or swelling of the brain) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes having reduced atmospheric pressure see mountain sickness

Examples of altitude sickness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tips for preventing or reducing the risk of altitude sickness. Brian Strickland, Discover Magazine, 9 Mar. 2024 The cast and crew suffered from altitude sickness and the extreme cold conditions. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 More than 35,000 adventurers attempt the trek every year, with only two-thirds completing it due to altitude sickness and other health problems. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2023 Sipping on Peruvian coffee or mate de coca — a beverage made from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), which abates altitude sickness — visitors on day trips get a glimpse of Uros history, culture and engineering. Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023 How to prevent altitude sickness, and how not to Can people become immune to altitude sickness? Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023 And, as previously mentioned, the earliest signs of altitude sickness can feel like a hangover. Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023 Among his many scientific feats, he is considered the first to attribute altitude sickness to a lack of oxygen, the first to discover the location of the magnetic equator and also the first to describe how human action impacts ecosystems and local climate. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2022 Any climb at these heights has inherent risks, not least of which is debilitating altitude sickness from the oxygen-thin air. Lori Rackl, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'altitude sickness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of altitude sickness was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near altitude sickness

Cite this Entry

“Altitude sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altitude%20sickness. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

altitude sickness

noun
al·​ti·​tude sickness ˌal-tə-ˌt(y)üd- How to pronounce altitude sickness (audio)
: the effects (as nosebleed, nausea, headache, or cerebral edema) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes with reduced atmospheric pressure

More from Merriam-Webster on altitude sickness

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