congestive heart failure

noun

: heart failure in which the heart is unable to maintain an adequate circulation of blood in the bodily tissues or to pump out the venous blood returned to it by the veins

Examples of congestive heart failure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report detailed Hackman’s declining heart health, including the congestive heart failure, an aortic heart valve replacement and an irregular heartbeat. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025

Her preliminary cause of death was listed as chronic congestive heart failure, and her manner of death was natural, according to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner's Office, NBC reported. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

His cause of death was congestive heart failure, his wife, JZ Holden, told The Washington Post on Tuesday. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025

This one could be extra dangerous for her as she was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure and suffered a stroke. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

congestive heart failure

noun

con·​ges·​tive heart failure

kən-ˈjes-tiv-

: heart failure in which the heart is unable to keep enough blood circulating in the tissues or is unable to pump out the blood returned to it by the veins

Medical Definition

congestive heart failure

noun

: heart failure in which the heart is unable to maintain adequate circulation of blood in the tissues of the body or to pump out the venous blood returned to it by the venous circulation compare coronary failure