acid reflux
noun
: backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus that is due to malfunctioning of a sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus and that results especially in heartburn : gastroesophageal reflux
a medication for acid reflux
Acid reflux is the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The feeling of acid reflux is heartburn: a mild burning sensation in the mid-chest …—
The Tennessee Tribune
The Tennessee TribuneAcid reflux occurs when the valve between your esophagus and stomach doesn't close properly, allowing stomach acid to wash back up through your esophagus …—Miriam Jones Bradley
Miriam Jones BradleyExamples of acid reflux in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some people find that drinking it on an empty stomach, such as before breakfast, can also lead to digestive upset or acid reflux.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Compounding the issue is that many symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers, such as stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, and acid reflux, can mimic more common gut issues like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 19 Aug. 2025
If Barrett’s esophagus, when the swallowing tube becomes damaged by acid reflux, is present, further testing is done to determine whether the patient has cancer.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
While acid reflux happens occasionally, GERD is a chronic condition where acid reflux occurs more than twice a week when stomach acid travels back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 21 July 2025
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Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025
Compounding the issue is that many symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers, such as stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, and acid reflux, can mimic more common gut issues like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 19 Aug. 2025
If Barrett’s esophagus, when the swallowing tube becomes damaged by acid reflux, is present, further testing is done to determine whether the patient has cancer.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
While acid reflux happens occasionally, GERD is a chronic condition where acid reflux occurs more than twice a week when stomach acid travels back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for acid reflux
Cite this Entry
“Acid reflux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acid%20reflux. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
acid reflux
noun
: backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus that is due to malfunctioning of a sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus and that results especially in heartburn : gastroesophageal reflux
… people who report experiencing at least weekly symptoms of acid reflux have substantially higher risks of BE [=Barrett's esophagus] than those with less frequent episodes. Moreover, we found that symptoms of acid reflux experienced at older ages conferred substantially higher risks of BE than symptoms at younger ages …—Kylie J. Smith et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Kylie J. Smith et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & PreventionLove words? Need even more definitions?
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