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
Among the most common and effective forms of treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.
—
USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
President Joe Biden in recent weeks has started using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine at night to help with sleep apnea, the White House said Wednesday.
—Colleen Long, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
The device, known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, pumps air through a mask to keep breathing passages open.
—Emma Obregón Dominguez, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2023
President Joe Biden has started using a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, as a result of his longstanding history with sleep apnea, the White House confirmed.
—USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
The machines provide continuous positive airway pressure, known as CPAP, to keep the airways open with a steady stream of air through a mask or bilevel positive airway pressure, also known as BiPAP support, pumping air into the lungs using different pressures.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 7 Apr. 2023
The most common is the continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine, which keeps airways open during sleep.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2023
The records indicated no major complications until before dawn March 7, when Saint suddenly was measured with a dangerously low 44% blood oxygen level after being on a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is supposed to blow air into a patient’s airway to prevent sleep apnea.
—Robert McCoppin, chicagotribune.com, 17 Jan. 2022
Recalled devices include ventilators, BiPAP and CPAPs, or continuous positive airway pressure machines, which force open the airways of people who would otherwise stop breathing through the night.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2022
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USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
President Joe Biden in recent weeks has started using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine at night to help with sleep apnea, the White House said Wednesday.
—Colleen Long, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
The device, known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine, pumps air through a mask to keep breathing passages open.
—Emma Obregón Dominguez, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2023
President Joe Biden has started using a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, as a result of his longstanding history with sleep apnea, the White House confirmed.
—USA TODAY, 29 June 2023
The machines provide continuous positive airway pressure, known as CPAP, to keep the airways open with a steady stream of air through a mask or bilevel positive airway pressure, also known as BiPAP support, pumping air into the lungs using different pressures.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 7 Apr. 2023
The most common is the continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine, which keeps airways open during sleep.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2023
The records indicated no major complications until before dawn March 7, when Saint suddenly was measured with a dangerously low 44% blood oxygen level after being on a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP, which is supposed to blow air into a patient’s airway to prevent sleep apnea.
—Robert McCoppin, chicagotribune.com, 17 Jan. 2022
Recalled devices include ventilators, BiPAP and CPAPs, or continuous positive airway pressure machines, which force open the airways of people who would otherwise stop breathing through the night.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Nov. 2022
See More
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Word History
First Known Use
1975, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of continuous positive airway pressure was
in 1975
Dictionary Entries Near continuous positive airway pressure
Cite this Entry
“Continuous positive airway pressure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous%20positive%20airway%20pressure. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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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
Jeffrey M. DrazenLove words? Need even more definitions?
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