health

health

noun, often attributive \ˈhelth also ˈheltth\

Definition of HEALTH

1

a : the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit; especially : freedom from physical disease or pain

b : the general condition of the body <in poor health> <enjoys good health>

2

a : flourishing condition : well-being <defending the health of the beloved oceans — Peter Wilkinson>

b : general condition or state <poor economic health>

3

: a toast to someone's health or prosperity

Examples of HEALTH

1. We nursed him back to health.
2. He's in good health these days.
3. He has continued to enjoy good health in his old age.
4. Smoking is bad for your health.
5. He is concerned about his sister's mental health.
6. We must protect the health of our oceans.
7. The economy is in a period of robust financial health.
8. Investors are worried about the company's health.

Origin of HEALTH

Middle English helthe, from Old English hǣlth, from hāl

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HEALTH

Synonyms

fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, sap, soundness, verdure, wellness, wholeness, wholesomeness

Antonyms

illness, sickness, unhealthiness, unsoundness

Related Words

fettle, shape; cleanliness, hygiene; hardiness, lustiness, robustiousness, ruggedness, stamina, strength, toughness, vigor, vigorousness, vitality; bloom, flush, flushness; activeness, agility, liveliness, spryness; weal, welfare, well-being

Near Antonyms

debility, decrepitude, feebleness, frailness, infirmity, lameness, sickliness, weakness; ailment, condition, disease, disorder, malady, trouble

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with HEALTH

stealth

health

noun , often attrib \ˈhelth\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HEALTH

1

: the condition of an organism or one of its parts in which it performs its vital functions normally or properly : the state of being sound in body or mind <dental health> <mental health>; especially : freedom from physical disease and pain <nursed him back to health>—compare disease

2

: the condition of an organism with respect to the performance of its vital functions especially as evaluated subjectively or nonprofessionally <how is your health today>

health

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Extent of continuing physical, emotional, mental, and social ability to cope with one's environment. Good health is harder to define than bad health (which can be equated with presence of disease) because it must convey a more positive concept than mere absence of disease, and there is a variable area between health and disease. A person may be in good physical condition but have a cold or be mentally ill. Someone may appear healthy but have a serious condition (e.g., cancer) that is detectable only by physical examination or diagnostic tests or not even by these.