atresia

noun atre·sia \ ə-ˈtrē-zhə \

Updated on: 1 May 2018

Definition of atresia

1 : absence or closure of a natural passage of the body

2 : absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (such as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

Recent Examples of atresia from the Web

Didn’t Want to Get Too Close’ to Son Billy at First Kimmel and his wife revealed that their son underwent two heart surgeries after he was born with a congenital heart condition, tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

— mike miller, PEOPLE.com, "Justin Theroux Avoids Running Into Ex Jennifer Aniston at Jimmy Kimmel's Son's Birthday Bash," 23 Apr. 2018
The Jimmy Kimmel Live host’s son was born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

— jessica derschowitz, EW.com, "Jimmy Kimmel wishes son Billy a happy 1st birthday in sweet Instagram post," 21 Apr. 2018
Kimmel's son Billy, who turns one in April, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, which kicked off his crusade for affordable health care.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "Ellen DeGeneres dedicates room at Children’s Hospital L.A. to Jimmy Kimmel's son, Billy," 27 Feb. 2018
Robertson, who lists his favorite wrestlers as John Cena and Roman Reigns, was stricken at birth with biliary atresia, a liver disease that stunted his growth and has required two transplants among 36 surgeries.

— gene guillot, NOLA.com, "Jarrius Robertson to receive The Warrior Award at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony," 26 Feb. 2018
Billy suffers from the congenital heart condition tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Jimmy Kimmel Holds Back Tears as He Returns to Live! with Baby Son Billy in His Arms," 11 Dec. 2017
Billy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a combo pack of four related heart defects, within hours of his birth on April 21.

— jayme deerwester, USA TODAY, "Jimmy Kimmel shares photo of 6-month-old son Billy, a half-year after heart surgery," 21 Oct. 2017
At 3 days old, Billy underwent the surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles because of his heart condition, tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

— stephanie pettit, PEOPLE.com, "Jimmy Kimmel’s Wife Molly McNearney Lashes Out at Trolls Amid Obamacare Debate: ‘My Baby Has a Hole in His Heart’," 25 Sep. 2017
Robertson suffers from biliary atresia — a rare disease that affects his physical growth, according to The Undefeated.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Teen New Orleans Saints Superfan Battling Chronic Disease Receives Special Honor at ESPY Awards," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atresia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of atresia

New Latin, from ²a- + Greek trēsis perforation, from tetrainein to pierce — more at ¹throw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1790

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

atresia

noun atre·sia \ ə-ˈtrē-zhə \

medical Definition of atresia

1 : absence or closure of a natural passage of the body

atresia of the small intestine

2 : absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

Learn More about atresia

See words that rhyme with atresia Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atresia

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atresia

Definition of atresia

Recent Examples of atresia from the Web

Origin and Etymology of atresia

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atresia

medical Definition of atresia

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atresia

medical Definition of atresia

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