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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On the worst days, Natalie Sua keeps her six children inside their Fresno home, especially two sons with asthma.
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This draft — a fresh attempt by the Republican Party to undo the Affordable Care Act — injects more uncertainty into plans for people with preexisting conditions such as cancer, asthma, diabetes or other long-term ailments.
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But some patients, especially those with complicating factors such as asthma, should be admitted immediately.
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The smallest particulates have been linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, aggravated asthma and other lung problems.
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The little girl whom McLaughin fosters and hopes to adopt suffers from hepatitis C and severe asthma.
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Another client, Marta Villescas, 64, has chronic asthma and is waiting on Medicare eligibility.
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Ryali said much of that went to pay for operating costs in hospitals in Lebanon, but some covered medicines the group took with them, including medications for blood pressure and diabetes, asthma inhalers and antibiotics.
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Ms. Matos said a doctor mentioned that the asthma symptoms could be caused by mold exposure.
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
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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