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
Akiba SolomonMost 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
Sallie TisdaleMore than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.—The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning NewsExamples of chronic disease in a Sentence
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Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by high blood sugar due to insulin problems, affecting humans and animals alike.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In the United States, neighborhood health worker models have expanded access to chronic disease management and maternal health in underserved communities—delivering better outcomes at lower cost.
—Madeleine Ballard, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
Over time, this can lower stress and decrease the inflammation that can lead to chronic disease.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025
Scientists have found the clearest evidence yet that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – which nearly all of us carry for life – is directly responsible for hijacking our immune system's cells to cause lupus, a chronic disease that affects up to a million Americans.
—New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2025
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Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In the United States, neighborhood health worker models have expanded access to chronic disease management and maternal health in underserved communities—delivering better outcomes at lower cost.
—Madeleine Ballard, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
Over time, this can lower stress and decrease the inflammation that can lead to chronic disease.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025
Scientists have found the clearest evidence yet that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – which nearly all of us carry for life – is directly responsible for hijacking our immune system's cells to cause lupus, a chronic disease that affects up to a million Americans.
—New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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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
Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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