asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə 

British ˈas-

: 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)

asthmatic

az-ˈma-tik 

British as-

adjective or noun

asthmatically

az-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

British as-

adverb

Examples of asthma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rymer is currently working through his own health issues by using Tezspire, a biologic medicine that targets the inflammation that drives severe asthma, thanks to access provided through his pulmonologist. — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026

Saturday Night Live‘s Kenan Thompson is remembering his former All That co-star Christy Knowings, who died Tuesdat at 46 after being taken off life support following a devastating asthma attack. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

After suffering an asthma attack that left her with brain damage on Friday, Knowings was hospitalized and placed on life support, a family member told TMZ. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Knowings suffered an asthma attack that left her with brain damage, according to TMZ, and she was hospitalized on Friday. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English asma, borrowed from Medieval Latin asma, asthma, borrowed from Greek ásthma "panting, shortness of breath, asthma (as a medical condition)," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asthma

• anti-asthma
• bronchial asthma

Rhymes for asthma

• chiasma
• plasma
• histoplasma
• mycoplasma
• toxoplasma
• miasma

Kids Definition

asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə 

: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing

asthmatic

az-ˈmat-ik 

adjective or noun

asthmatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə 

: 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)