spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation

a spasm of creativity

spasms of pain

spasm intransitive verb

Synonyms

• charley horse
• cramp
• crick
• kink

Examples of spasm in a Sentence

a disease that causes muscle spasms

He was racked with coughing spasms.

She was suffering spasms of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some people may experience numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, nausea, difficulty breathing and an elevated heart rate, according to the University of Arizona Health Sciences. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 May 2024

Rozier missed the final four games of the regular season, the two play-in games and the entire five-game first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics with what the team listed as neck spasms. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 May 2024

Heat exhaustion typically progresses in three stages, including: Early heat illness: Muscle pain and spasms are the first signs of heat illness. —Amanda MacMillan, Health, 10 May 2024

It has also been employed to treat medical conditions such as muscle spasms. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024

Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

The Heat played the entire series without Jimmy Butler (right knee MCL sprain), Terry Rozier (neck spasms) and Josh Richardson (right shoulder surgery). —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024

But Jaquez eventually settled into the game, stepping into a big role on a big stage for a Heat team missing Terry Rozier (neck spasms) and Butler. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024

Once those neural centers are located, doctors might use deep brain stimulation — like a pacemaker for the brain — to block the abnormal signals that cause vocal spasms. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles

back spasms

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst

a spasm of creativity

spasm verb

Medical Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers

2

: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms

the renal artery went into spasm