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.
Countries with domestic production capacity are better positioned to respond to health crises and sustain long-term progress in areas like vaccination and chronic disease care. Francisca Mutapi, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Kennedy blames poor diets and environmental toxins for the increase in chronic disease rates. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025 The executive order signed by Trump said the administration is bringing back the test due to the high rates of obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. Lawrence Taylor, Harrison Butker also joined signing event Trump was joined at the event by athletes across golf, football and wrestling. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 The panel also did not include a massive HHS reorganization that would have created a new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) to focus on chronic disease prevention. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 31 July 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 20 Aug. 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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