convalesce

verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing

intransitive verb

: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness
He is convalescing from influenza.
convalescence noun
convalescent adjective or noun

Did you know?

When you convalesce, you heal or grow strong after illness or injury, often by staying off your feet. The related adjective convalescent means "recovering from sickness or debility," and a convalescent home is a hospital for long-term recuperation and rehabilitation. Convalesce comes from the Latin verb convalescere, which combines the prefix com-/con-, meaning "with, together, jointly," with the verb valescere, meaning "to grow strong." Valescere, in turn, is related to the verb valēre, meaning "to be strong or be well," which is also an ancestor of prevail, valor, value, and valid.

Examples of convalesce in a Sentence

He is convalescing from his leg injuries. the long months that the soldier spent in the hospital slowly convalescing
Recent Examples on the Web Catherine will be hospitalized for 10 to 14 days, according to the couple’s office in Kensington Palace, and will convalesce for two to three months after that. Mark Landler, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2024 Cinderella underwent a successful operation at VCA Lakewood Hospital and convalesced at a volunteer’s home for a month. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023 The whodunit sees an older, high-powered businesswoman, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter and granddaughter. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2023 There’s Lana, a real-estate baron who’d rather be in Los Angeles but is convalescing from cancer treatment at her daughter Beth’s home. Sarah Weinman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2023 The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Feinstein, who had been convalescing in the Bay Area since mid-February, boarded a charter private plane Tuesday to return to the Senate. Melanie Mason, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023 Afterward, while convalescing at a London hospital, Mr. Grasso briefly met up with his brother Frederick, who was passing through on his way to the front lines. Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023 The rooftops drew tenants outside with covered porches and reclining seats, on which tuberculosis patients convalesced. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 17 June 2023 The volunteer pilots of Turtles Fly Too will bring convalescing turtles to care facilities across the country, where they may be nursed back to health. Lee Cowan, CBS News, 2 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convalesce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin convalescere, from com- + valescere to grow strong, from valēre to be strong, be well — more at wield

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of convalesce was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near convalesce

Cite this Entry

“Convalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convalesce. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

convalesce

verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to regain health and strength gradually after illness or weakness

Medical Definition

convalesce

intransitive verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness

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