chronic disease

noun

plural chronic diseases
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.Akiba Solomon
Most oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.Sallie Tisdale
More than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.The Dallas Morning News

Examples of chronic disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scientists grieving loss, or people living with chronic disease. Maria Reva september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 In these states, higher primary care spending also seems to be associated with better chronic disease management, higher rates of screenings and immunizations, and improvements on measures of population health. Web Golinkin, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system in which the body’s immune system attacks itself by mistake. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 The city of Milwaukee's health department noted more emergency department visits in the days following the flood for difficulty breathing and worsening symptoms of chronic disease. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chronic disease

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic disease was in 1662

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Cite this Entry

“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

chronic disease

noun
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association
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