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 actress died of congestive heart failure at 82 years old in January 1990. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

Marlon Brando, one of the most celebrated method actors, died at age 80 from respiratory and congestive heart failure. — USA Today, 17 June 2026

Johnson, who is hard of hearing, needs a walker to get around and suffers from congestive heart failure, can recall his wartime experience down to the smallest detail. — Michael Casey, CBS News, 25 May 2026

But late in 2019, there were setbacks, the worst of which were seizures and the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. — David O'Brien, New York Times, 9 May 2026

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