continuous positive airway pressure

noun

: a technique for relieving breathing problems (such as those associated with sleep apnea or congestive heart failure) by pumping a steady flow of air at constant pressure through the nose to prevent the narrowing or collapse of air passages or to help the lungs to expand

—abbreviation CPAP compare bilevel positive airway pressure

Examples of continuous positive airway pressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The use of continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines has been shown to improve sleep quality, improve testosterone and alleviate symptoms. —Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 8 July 2025

Behavioral factors may be at play too: when temperatures are higher, individuals may be less likely to wear their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks, which are prescribed to reduce or prevent apnea. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 May 2025

For many people with sleep apnea, sleeping in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is less than ideal. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 21 Mar. 2025

This is a treatment for respiratory decompensation (breathing difficulties), but is not as aggressive as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or mechanical ventilation. —Dr. Marc Siegel Fox News, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for continuous positive airway pressure

• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher
• refresher

Medical Definition

continuous positive airway pressure

noun

: a technique for relieving breathing problems (as those associated with sleep apnea or congestive heart failure) by pumping a steady flow of air of constant pressure through the nose to prevent the narrowing or collapse of air passages or to help the lungs to expand

The most common treatment for patients with sleep apnea is to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at the upper airway, usually through a nasal mask, during sleep.

—Jeffrey M. Drazen

—abbreviation CPAP compare bilevel positive airway pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure