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
For a meaningful share of cognitive work in primary care, like reviewing records, taking histories, generating differential diagnoses, managing chronic disease, autonomous AI can already deliver clinically adequate care.
—Alon Bergman, STAT, 11 May 2026
Those at risk include adults 65 and older, infants, athletes, outdoor workers, those with chronic diseases and people without access to effective cooling, the weather service said.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The result is a condition that behaves less like an isolated skin issue and more like a chronic disease that requires long-term management.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Although chronic diseases do not solely impact older populations, preventing these diseases could mean longer lives and more enjoyment of the years added.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
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Alon Bergman, STAT, 11 May 2026
Those at risk include adults 65 and older, infants, athletes, outdoor workers, those with chronic diseases and people without access to effective cooling, the weather service said.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The result is a condition that behaves less like an isolated skin issue and more like a chronic disease that requires long-term management.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Although chronic diseases do not solely impact older populations, preventing these diseases could mean longer lives and more enjoyment of the years added.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 2 May 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 13 May. 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?
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