heart failure

noun

1
: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume
2
: cessation of heartbeat : death

Examples of heart failure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Other higher-risk groups include those with congenital heart defects or disorders, structural heart problems, or a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025 The official cause of death was heart failure. David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 Her brother Kim Milford — Rocky in the original American stage production of The Rocky Horror Show and a singer in a band with guitarist Jeff Beck — died of heart failure at age 37 in 1980. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025 Pollard, 50, nearly died of heart failure in 2024. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heart failure

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heart failure was in 1574

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Cite this Entry

“Heart failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heart%20failure. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

heart failure

noun
1
: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume compare angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, coronary failure, heart attack
2
: cessation of heartbeat : death

More from Merriam-Webster on heart failure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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