achalasia
noun
acha·la·sia
ˌā-kə-ˈlā-zh(ē-)ə 
: failure of a ring of muscle (such as the anal sphincter or one of the esophagus) to relax
Examples of achalasia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With spastic achalasia, your esophageal muscles don't contract while swallowing.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 20 Dec. 2024
Start to finish, the worst of my achalasia symptoms took almost four years to find and treat.
—Rachel S. Hunt, Washington Post, 6 July 2024
After Lorraine passed away in May 2018 at age 73, after close to a decade with achalasia, a condition that closes off the esophagus, Chuck set to work living out her wishes.
—Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 9 Aug. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Gurarie, Health, 20 Dec. 2024
Start to finish, the worst of my achalasia symptoms took almost four years to find and treat.
—Rachel S. Hunt, Washington Post, 6 July 2024
After Lorraine passed away in May 2018 at age 73, after close to a decade with achalasia, a condition that closes off the esophagus, Chuck set to work living out her wishes.
—Heidi Stevens, chicagotribune.com, 9 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Achalasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achalasia. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
achalasia
noun
acha·la·sia
ˌā-kə-ˈlā-zh(ē-)ə
: failure of a ring of muscle (as a sphincter) to relax
achalasia of the esophagus
achalasia of the anal sphincter
compare cardiospasm
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share