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

Address the growing burden of chronic disease like Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis and heart disease — which disproportionately impact women. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Sep. 2026

Extensive scientific research has shown no causal link between the MMR vaccine and the development of chronic diseases. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Apples may lower inflammation markers when eaten daily, lowering the risk of chronic diseases. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026

So far, even the secretary’s Make America Healthy Again movement — which emphasizes poor diet as a main driver of chronic disease — has done little to assuage dietitians’ deeply rooted troubles. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 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