ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

1

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

a stomach ailment

2

: unrest, uneasiness

an emotional ailment

Synonyms of ailment

• disease
• illness
• ill
• condition
• fever
• sickness

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

In determining whether to reimburse treatment for such ailments, insurers turn to Food and Drug Administration labels and expert guidelines. — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Eleven gullible idiots were talked into acquitting because of an imaginary female ailment. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Four brothers later died from ailments that stemmed from the war. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026

The couple also previously navigated the death of their son, Ezra, of a heart ailment, just two weeks after he was born in 2010. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ailment

• bailment
• curtailment
• derailment
• entailment

Kids Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt 

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease