asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə 

British ˈas-

: 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)

asthmatic

az-ˈma-tik 

British as-

adjective or noun

asthmatically

az-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

British as-

adverb

Examples of asthma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Colleen McCarthy said she was denied coverage for one of her cats because the insurer determined her cat’s asthma was pre-existing. — Taneia Surles, USA Today, 7 July 2026

The agency says fireworks smoke can cause dangerous spikes in air pollution, particularly for children, older adults and people with asthma or heart disease. — Maddie White, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Smoke from fireworks can worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups in those who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Removing internal combustion engines from the road directly saves lives by reducing airborne pollutants that can cause and trigger asthma and other lung diseases. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English asma, borrowed from Medieval Latin asma, asthma, borrowed from Greek ásthma "panting, shortness of breath, asthma (as a medical condition)," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asthma

• anti-asthma
• bronchial asthma

Rhymes for asthma

• chiasma
• plasma
• histoplasma
• mycoplasma
• toxoplasma
• miasma

Kids 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

asthmatic

az-ˈmat-ik 

adjective or noun

asthmatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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)