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
Obesity treatment deserves the same insurance coverage standards as any other chronic disease.
—Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Across the country, health leaders and policymakers are searching for solutions to rising health care costs, plus troubling rates of chronic disease and a mental health crisis among young people.
—Jessica Turner, USA Today, 1 June 2026
This can lead to unwanted weight gain, potentially increasing the risk of chronic disease over time.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
At the same time, the MAHA movement has tapped into growing frustration with a food system that pushes junk food over nutritional value and contributes to rising obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease.
—Sam Raus, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
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Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Across the country, health leaders and policymakers are searching for solutions to rising health care costs, plus troubling rates of chronic disease and a mental health crisis among young people.
—Jessica Turner, USA Today, 1 June 2026
This can lead to unwanted weight gain, potentially increasing the risk of chronic disease over time.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
At the same time, the MAHA movement has tapped into growing frustration with a food system that pushes junk food over nutritional value and contributes to rising obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease.
—Sam Raus, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 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 5 Jun. 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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