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
Recent Examples on the Web
But prevention alone cannot offset the cumulative burden of chronic disease already embedded in the American population.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
People with chronic diseases that could be affected by sodium intake, such as heart disease, should speak to their healthcare provider about their sodium needs.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
Critics argue that those moves cut against the administration’s broader MAHA message on chronic disease and toxic exposure, particularly as parents and health advocates grow more focused on the long-term health effects of chemical use in food production.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026
The health department will focus in the coming years on five priority health concerns – chronic disease, maternal and child health, mental health, substance use disorder, and violence and injury prevention.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
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.
Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
People with chronic diseases that could be affected by sodium intake, such as heart disease, should speak to their healthcare provider about their sodium needs.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026
Critics argue that those moves cut against the administration’s broader MAHA message on chronic disease and toxic exposure, particularly as parents and health advocates grow more focused on the long-term health effects of chemical use in food production.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026
The health department will focus in the coming years on five priority health concerns – chronic disease, maternal and child health, mental health, substance use disorder, and violence and injury prevention.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
