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

Respiratory Conditions Chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect your lungs and airways, causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026

Lilly has also started new studies of brenipatide — an experimental drug that mimics the same hormones as Zepbound — in tobacco use disorder, bipolar disorder and asthma. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026

The regulations prevent more than 100,000 deaths annually, along with millions of asthma attacks, heart attacks, and lost workdays. —Michelle A. Williams, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026

Connell, one woman who began seizing and one woman who had an asthma attack. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 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

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

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)