Definition of asthma
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (such as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of asthma from the Web
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In the U.S., Shieh once paid $40 for asthma medication.
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Auburn wide receiver signee JaTarvious Whitlow overcame severe childhood asthma to win nine state titles and become an All-State athlete in three sports.
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In 2001, Megan Wilson, 16, who had chronic asthma, was having trouble breathing, according to a 2006 story in The Seattle Weekly.
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Soccer’s David Beckham has helped normalize asthma ; Michael Phelps has done the same for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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On Super Bowl Sunday in February, Cannizzaro had a severe asthma attack.
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Parmely also has a 2-year-old with asthma, which is aggravated by allergens in mice droppings.
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But the vehicle for these policies was in its own way even more interesting: an anecdote about his daughter Malia's childhood struggles with asthma.
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The EPA says exposure to these can lead to heart and lung disease, aggravated asthma, and decreased lung function—
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asthma'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of asthma
Middle English asma, from Medieval Latin, modification of Greek asthma
First Known Use: 14th century
ASTHMA Defined for English Language Learners
asthma
playDefinition of asthma for English Language Learners
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medical : a physical condition that makes it difficult for someone to breathe
ASTHMA Defined for Kids
asthma
playDefinition of asthma for Students
: a lung disorder that causes periods of wheezing, coughing, and difficulty with breathing
Medical Dictionary
asthma
playMedical Definition of asthma
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
Learn More about asthma
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See words that rhyme with asthma Spanish Central: Translation of asthma Nglish: Translation of asthma for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of asthma for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about asthma
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