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

As for the Heat’s injuries, Herro and Ware’s ailments are the new ones to monitor. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Gonzalez was back to kicking for NFL teams the past two years after missing 2022 with the Carolina Panthers due to a preseason groin injury and then 2023 with the San Francisco 49ers because of a quadriceps ailment. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026

The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other ailments. —Abby Dodge, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

Now, the drug's reputation is continuing to grow in conservative political circles as a form of cure-all for various ailments. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Mar. 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