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
The recommendations follow a May report that outlined what the administration identified as drivers of chronic disease.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
This means if your average exposure is regularly above these levels over the long-term, risks for chronic diseases may rise.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
The commission said the administration would research possible connections between children's oral health and chronic disease, update nutrition requirements for infant formula, and work to increase the rate of breastfeeding among American mothers.
—Will McDuffie, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
In 2013, the Only Murders in the Building star was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs that has no cure, per Mayo Clinic.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
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.
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
This means if your average exposure is regularly above these levels over the long-term, risks for chronic diseases may rise.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
The commission said the administration would research possible connections between children's oral health and chronic disease, update nutrition requirements for infant formula, and work to increase the rate of breastfeeding among American mothers.
—Will McDuffie, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
In 2013, the Only Murders in the Building star was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs that has no cure, per Mayo Clinic.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2025.
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
Share