Definition of continuous positive airway pressure
: 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
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best pulse oximeters.
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Color
-
- Name that color:

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share continuous positive airway pressure
Time Traveler for continuous positive airway pressure
The first known use of continuous positive airway pressure was in 1975
See more words from the same year