: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (such as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
Examples of asthma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Blood transfusions, antibiotics, cardiac pacemakers, organ transplantation, insulin for diabetes, and inhalers for asthma all resulted from animal research.
—
Melanie D.g. Kaplan, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
An elated Lyles planned to compete for three more gold medals, but just days later, the tide turned quickly when the sprinter, who has battled asthma since childhood, tested positive for COVID-19.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
In 2015, 9-year-old Maya began experiencing asthma attacks and headaches, while lesions formed on her legs and arms.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
That averaged out to about 18 asthma ER visits per day during thunderstorms, compared with just 3 per day on nonstorm days — an increase of 500 percent.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Nov. 2025
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Melanie D.g. Kaplan, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
An elated Lyles planned to compete for three more gold medals, but just days later, the tide turned quickly when the sprinter, who has battled asthma since childhood, tested positive for COVID-19.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
In 2015, 9-year-old Maya began experiencing asthma attacks and headaches, while lesions formed on her legs and arms.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
That averaged out to about 18 asthma ER visits per day during thunderstorms, compared with just 3 per day on nonstorm days — an increase of 500 percent.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asthma
Cite this Entry
“Asthma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthma. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə 
: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing
Medical Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
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