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

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 In rare cases, severe muscle spasms in chest muscles can lead to respiratory failure. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 The Heat remained without Tyler Herro (left knee hyperextension), Josh Richardson (right shoulder dislocation), Thomas Bryant (league suspension), Jamal Cain (G League assignment), Orlando Robinson (lower back spasms), Dru Smith (right knee surgery) and Cole Swider (G League). Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 Fleming succumbed at age 56: The short spasm, shortened further by 70 cigarettes a day and lashings of booze, was over. James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2024 But not all aching stems from strains, sprains, or spasms (as those examples above can sometimes lead to); it can also be related to some type of arthritis in your spine. Sarah Klein, SELF, 5 Mar. 2024 Rigidity and spasms from autoimmune encephalomyelopathies: Stiff-person syndrome Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Also, Heat center Orlando Robinson remains questionable for Monday’s game with lower back spasms. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024 Each new spasm of volcanic activity lays a fresh layer of volcanic rock, burying evidence of past eruptions. Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spasm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spasm was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spasm

Cite this Entry

“Spasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spasm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spasm

noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on spasm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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