hay fever

noun

: an acute allergic reaction to pollen that is usually seasonal and is marked by sneezing, nasal discharge and congestion, and itching and watering of the eyes

called also pollinosis

Examples of hay fever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other medicines to ease congestion for the common cold include those containing oral pseudoephedrine, and for hay fever or allergic rhinitis, nasal steroids, such as Flonase, as well as nasal antihistamines and oral pseudoephedrine. —Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023

Down through the generations, it has been blamed for hay fever symptoms experienced by everyone from Myles Standish to David Beckham. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2023

At 26 months, the study found, children developed allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 25 July 2023

Symptoms of hay fever include a runny or stuffed nose, itchy eyes, and skin, and sneezing. —Devika Rao, The Week, 27 Apr. 2023

In 2021, about 81 million people in the U.S. experienced from seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, a reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, according to the Asthmas and Allergy Foundation of America. —Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 26 May 2023

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, animal dander or dust mites. —Mansi Kanuga Md, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023

About a quarter of adults and 20 percent of children have officially been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, writes the Journal. —Devika Rao, The Week, 27 Apr. 2023

Inhaling these spores can result in classic hay fever symptoms: itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and sore and stuffed-up noses that feel ready to explode. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hay fever

noun

: an allergy to pollen that is usually marked by sneezing, a runny or stuffed nose, and itchy and watering eyes

Medical Definition

hay fever

noun

ˈhā-ˌfē-vər 

: an acute allergic reaction to pollen that is usually seasonal and is marked by sneezing, nasal discharge and congestion, and itching and watering of the eyes

called also pollinosis