heartburn

heart·burn | \ ˈhärt-ˌbərn

How to pronounce heartburn (audio)

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Definition of heartburn

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to spasmodic reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus

Examples of heartburn in a Sentence

I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.

Recent Examples on the Web Here's a small piece of heartening news, though: A new study suggests 10 people who were home sick with Covid-19 may have found relief with famotidine, an ingredient in common over-the-counter heartburn remedies like Pepcid. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "5 things to know for June 5: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, coronavirus, lynching," 5 June 2020 For some people caffeine can also trigger digestive irritation, including heartburn, as well as an upset stomach, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and rebound fatigue. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, "6 Health Benefits of Coffee, According to a Nutritionist," 18 June 2020 Those generics include hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug commonly prescribed to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, azithromycin, a common antibiotic, and famotidine, a heartburn drug. — Dian Zhang, USA TODAY, "FDA data show numerous drugs in shortage. Among them: a leading antidepressant," 10 June 2020 Ten people who were home sick with Covid-19 may have found relief with a common over-the-counter heartburn remedy, according to a study published yesterday. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, "What you need to know about coronavirus on Friday, June 5," 5 June 2020 Scientists continue to look into potential treatments for COVID-19, and the latest to be touted is famotidine, which is the active ingredient in the popular over-the-counter heartburn medication Pepcid. — Claire Gillespie, Health.com, "Could the Heartburn Drug Famotidine Help Fight COVID-19? Here's What We Know Right Now," 28 Apr. 2020 Doctors are using famotidine, found in the common and widely-used heartburn medication Pepcid, as a possible new treatment for COVID-19 symptoms. — Asia Ewart, refinery29.com, "Why Doctors Are Using An Antacid To Treat Hundreds Of Coronavirus Patients," 27 Apr. 2020 Some doctors are skeptical that drugs for heartburn or hot flashes have any chance of treating a killer like COVID-19. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive, "Antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs and prepackaged plasma: A look at the therapies being developed to combat the new coronavirus," 18 May 2020 Some doctors are skeptical that drugs for heartburn or hot flashes have any chance of treating a killer like COVID-19. — Liz Szabo, azcentral, "Chasing the elusive dream of a COVID cure," 15 May 2020

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

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Last Updated

10 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 11 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for heartburn

heartburn

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heartburn

: an unpleasant hot feeling in your chest caused by something that you ate

See the full definition for heartburn in the English Language Learners Dictionary

heartburn

heart·burn | \ -ˌbərn

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Medical Definition of heartburn

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum usually related to spasm of the lower end of the esophagus or of the upper part of the stomach often in association with gastroesophageal reflux

— called also cardialgia, pyrosis

— compare water brash

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