ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment

Examples of ailment in a Sentence

She suffered from a chronic back ailment. The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This handy kit comes with more than 30 travel-sized pouches of meds for any ailment, including Pepto-Bismol, ibuprofen, allergy relievers, decongestants, and more. Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025 Means, through her book, blog and speaking appearances, has championed holistic health with a focus on whole and natural foods, exercise, and curbing pharmaceutical prescriptions for chronic ailments. Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 Studies show that conventional methods of care demonstrate around 41% response rates, which could leave a significant portion of people continuing to live with residual ailments. Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025 Two of the surviving flight attendants attribute a laundry list of ailments to the exposure, and argue that the fume event didn’t merely put them out of work. Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ailment

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailment was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

More from Merriam-Webster on ailment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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