health

noun, often attributive \ ˈhelth also ˈheltth \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

Theodore and other experts who volunteer on the committee will advise the NFL on medical policies, procedures and protocols, in addition to identifying and recommending medical research that affects the health and safety of NFL players.

— the baltimore sun, baltimoresun.com, "NFL names Johns Hopkins' Dr. Nicholas Theodore chairman of Head, Neck and Spine Committee," 19 Apr. 2018
But this is quite a comedown for an asset class once touted as an elegant, almost automatic, way to return struggling banks to health.

— The Economist, "Coco bonds have not lived up to their promise," 19 Apr. 2018
This is a clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has an equal right to health.

— josé ramos-horta, STAT, "Falsehoods and facts about drugs and the people who use them," 19 Apr. 2018
Their immediate goal is to protect the health of U.S. diplomats.

— eli kintisch, Science | AAAS, "Rooftop sensors on U.S. embassies are warning the world about ‘crazy bad’ air pollution," 19 Apr. 2018
Breckenridge said all 32 were returned to health and transferred to an out-of-state shelter to be adopted.

— dan morse, Washington Post, "Police: 33 abused Chihuahuas found in SUV," 18 Apr. 2018
This communal spirit, Dr. Williamson says, represents something essential to the health of a democracy.

— bailey bischoff, The Christian Science Monitor, "The tax that binds? For many, Tax Day symbolizes civic duty.," 17 Apr. 2018
Paddy Cosgrave, Co-Founder, Web Summit and RISE, joined Doug Krizner and Bryan Curtis to discuss the health of the start-up scene in the Asia Pacific region.

— Bloomberg.com, "Automation Makes Labor More Productive," 16 Apr. 2018
More than 90 attendees – including homeowners association volunteers actively working to improve the health of their lakes – listened as speakers conveyed strategies and successes.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Volunteers, officials, consultants share strategies for healthy lakes," 15 Apr. 2018

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

Other Medicine Terms

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

HEALTH Defined for English Language Learners

health

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

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

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