heart failure

noun

1

: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume

2

: cessation of heartbeat : death

Examples of heart failure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amniotic fluid will flood the abdominal cavity, and the team will have scant seconds to deliver the baby before the mother’s heart failure also kills the fetus. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

Last year our partnership delivered 33,975 completed clinical treatments that span pulmonary disorder, heart failure, diabetes and related conditions. —Benjamin Kornitzer, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026

Beau Bock, an Atlanta sports TV and radio fixture for decades with an unapologetically brash persona, died from heart failure last week, his younger daughter Grace said. —Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026

What The Research Found The study of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, found long-term melatonin users were nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

heart failure

noun

1

: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume compare angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, coronary failure, heart attack

2

: cessation of heartbeat : death