health

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈhelth also ˈheltth \

Definition of health

1 a :the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit

She is the picture of health.

; especially :freedom from physical disease or pain

nursed them back to health

b :the general condition of the body

How is your mother's health?

in poor health

enjoys good health

2 a :a condition in which someone or something is thriving or doing well :well-being

defending the health of the beloved oceans
—Peter Wilkinson

b :general condition or state

poor economic health

3 :a toast to someone's health or prosperity

See health defined for English-language learners

See health defined for kids

Examples of health in a Sentence

We nursed him back to health.
He's in good health these days.
He has continued to enjoy good health in his old age.
Smoking is bad for your health.
He is concerned about his sister's mental health.
We must protect the health of our oceans.
The economy is in a period of robust financial health.
Investors are worried about the company's health.

Recent Examples of health from the Web

Seniors with a sense of purpose may be more physically active and take better care of their health, some research suggests.

— judith graham, Kaiser Health News, "Soul Purpose: Seniors With Strong Reasons To Live Often Live Stronger," 31 Aug. 2017
PFM noted that private-sector employers have largely shifted to 401(k)-style retirement plans and rarely offer retiree health care benefits.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Pension Crisis: Are benefits too generous?," 29 Aug. 2017
All hard copies of important financial, health, school, insurance, and family information must be packed and ready to go.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Evacuate Before a Storm or Flood," 25 Aug. 2017
Patrol Officer Arty Erle had been waiting for a liver transplant after a history of health difficulties.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Jamahri Sydnor Was Killed 10 Days Before Heading To College. Now Her Organs Are Saving Lives.," 24 Aug. 2017
Seante' Hunt stood in front of 16 trainees in a county health department conference room Monday morning and held up a plastic syringe filled with a clear, unassuming liquid.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "How to save a life: Officials push Naloxone trainings into the community," 23 Aug. 2017
A man from Crystal Lake has been hospitalized after contracting West Nile virus in McHenry County, health officials said.

— grace wong, McHenry County, "McHenry County reports first West Nile virus case of year," 23 Aug. 2017
And girls with involved fathers are also far less likely to go hungry, to live in poverty, and to have better physical health, according to a second study done by Rutgers.

— charlotte andersen, Redbook, "Fathers Have An Even Greater Influence on Daughters Than You May Realize," 22 Aug. 2017
Julie Furst, M.D., and Samantha Saltz, M.D., are behavioral health experts under the guidance of Judith Regan, M.D., MBA, JD, who is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Miami Health System.

— julie furst, m.d., and samantha saltz, m.d., miamiherald, "Our children are at increased risk of suicide. Here are ways to help save them," 21 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'health.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of health

Middle English helthe, from Old English hǣlth, from hāl

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

health Synonyms

Synonyms

fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, sap, soundness, verdure, wellness, wholeness, wholesomeness

Antonyms

illness, sickness, unhealthiness, unsoundness

Related Words

fettle, shape; cleanliness, hygiene; hardiness, lustiness, robustiousness, ruggedness, stamina, strength, toughness, vigor, vigorousness, vitality; bloom, flush, flushness; activeness, agility, liveliness, spryness; weal, welfare, well-being

Near Antonyms

debility, decrepitude, feebleness, frailness, infirmity, lameness, sickliness, weakness; ailment, condition, disease, disorder, malady, trouble

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

HEALTH Defined for English Language Learners

health

play

noun

Definition of health for English Language Learners

: the condition of being well or free from disease
: the overall condition of someone's body or mind
: the condition or state of something

HEALTH Defined for Kids

health

play

noun \ ˈhelth \

Definition of health for Students

1 :the condition of being free from illness or disease

2 :the overall condition of the body

He is in good health.

Medical Dictionary

health

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈhelth \

medical Definition of health

1 :the condition of an organism or one of its parts in which it performs its vital functions normally or properly :the state of being sound in body or mind