claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

1

: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces

2

: a feeling of discomfort or discontent caused by being in a limiting or restrictive situation or environment

While recovering in the hospital, she recognizes the claustrophobia of her working-class life, shared with a suffocatingly affectionate mother and a dud of a dad.

—Barbara Tritel

claustrophobe

ˈklȯ-strə-ˌfōb 

noun

Examples of claustrophobia in a Sentence

She doesn't go in elevators because of her claustrophobia.

the claustrophobia of small-town life

Recent Examples on the Web

The standard panoramic sunroof is another great example of the genre, removing any sense of claustrophobia in the rear. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

When extreme isolation and claustrophobia start to close in, inhabitants of the compound deal with a range of disturbing memories and dark truths about what has led them to this remote outpost base. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The terror is real, y'all, and the killer extraterrestrial goes perfectly with the galactic claustrophobia. 10. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

The claustrophobia—alleys that might be almost 900 years old that have never seen the sun since they were built. —Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin claustrum + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for claustrophobia

• rhizobia
• agoraphobia
• homophobia
• hydrophobia
• photophobia
• xenophobia
• phobia

Kids Definition

claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: abnormal fear of being in closed or narrow spaces

claustrophobic

-ˈfō-bik

adjective

Medical Definition

claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces