claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
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 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 interior is finely crafted and lovely to behold, forming around you to give a sense of sportiness without claustrophobia. Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2024 The Visit and Split were both basically set in one place—a farmhouse and a basement, respectively—which helped give them a powerful atmosphere of escalating claustrophobia. David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2024 Sturrs described Cornish’s works as warm and intimate, highlighting the claustrophobia, the darkness and the sacrifice of miners’ lives. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 21 July 2024 Though shot in Cinemascope, it’s defined by a sense of claustrophobia. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for claustrophobia 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'claustrophobia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin claustrum + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of claustrophobia was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near claustrophobia

Cite this Entry

“Claustrophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobia. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

claustrophobia

noun
claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces

More from Merriam-Webster on claustrophobia

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