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

While there’s no cure for asthma — which can be triggered by allergens, exercise, stress, food allergies and weather changes, among other things — it can be effectively managed with medication. —Joanne Fowler, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Particle pollution can cause serious health problems, including asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and early death. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Resident Tasha Richardson suffers from asthma and was grateful to hear a knock on her door. —CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

Lung Disease People with asthma, COPD, or lung disease may find that cold air triggers breathing problems, says Uren. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Dec. 2025

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)