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

Risk factors for dementia include genetic predisposition, head trauma, chronic disease, and lifestyle. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026

For example, the group’s Parkway MediCentre, which is located in Singapore’s Woodleigh district, offers chronic disease management services and consultations with dermatology and obstetrics and gynaecology specialists. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

As America grapples with physician shortages, rising healthcare costs and an epidemic of chronic disease, policymakers continue searching for ways to improve access to care. — Joel Zive, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Notably, the cuts affected a number of programs focused on the causes and prevention of chronic diseases. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chronic disease

• actuaries
• analyses
• anopheles
• antitheses
• apostrophes
• appendices
• catalyses
• distributees
• examinees
• hypotheses
• interviewees
• isosceles

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