mountain sickness

noun

: altitude sickness experienced by mountain climbers or by those ascending or living especially above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) elevation and caused by insufficient oxygen in the air breathed

Examples of mountain sickness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By Martin Enserink, Science Photography by Tom Bouyer, Expedition 5300 Journalist Martin Enserink journeyed high into the Andes to write about research into the effects of chronic mountain sickness — traveling, effectively, into thin air. Stat Staff, STAT, 24 Dec. 2019 These researchers would like to pave the way to therapies for chronic mountain sickness, but first need to better define what living and working at this altitude does to human bodies. Stat Staff, STAT, 24 Dec. 2019 This is essential to avoid mountain sickness and other altitude-associated health issues such as pulmonary and cerebral diseases. Sadeesh K. Ramakrishnan, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2019 Nearly one in four residents suffers from chronic mountain sickness, a condition caused by a long-term lack of oxygen. Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, 13 Sep. 2019 The constant oxygen deprivation can cause syndrome called chronic mountain sickness (CMS), whose hallmark is an excessive proliferation of red blood cells. Xing Liu, Science Magazine, 12 Sep. 2019 Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, is a term encompassing three distinct conditions that occur at high elevations. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 20 Dec. 2018 After powering through unforgiving storms, hypothermia, and mountain sickness, the team completed the trek in 15 days and nine hours. National Geographic, 18 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mountain sickness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mountain sickness was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near mountain sickness

Cite this Entry

“Mountain sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountain%20sickness. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

mountain sickness

noun
: altitude sickness experienced especially above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) and caused by insufficient oxygen in the air

More from Merriam-Webster on mountain sickness

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