polydipsia

noun

poly·​dip·​sia ˌpä-lē-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

Examples of polydipsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Low Vasopressin Large amounts of diluted urine and excessive thirst (polydipsia) are characteristic of a group of conditions formerly known as diabetes insipidus. James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024 Your diet may play a role in potentially developing polydipsia or related symptoms, certainly, as can other lifestyle factors; sometimes, thirst may be an indicator of a larger issue that requires a doctor's help. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 27 Sep. 2020 At Patton, Nunez was treated for schizophrenia and developed psychogenic polydipsia, which drives a pervasive addiction to water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2019 Psychogenic polydipsia is a chronic disorder in which certain psychiatric patients compulsively consume large quantities of water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2019 Though dying from drinking too much fluid might sound like a freak accident, polydipsia is not uncommon in psychiatric hospitals like Springfield. Emily Woodruff, baltimoresun.com, 9 June 2017 Among patients with schizophrenia, those with severe polydipsia have a 75 percent chance of dying before patients without the compulsion to drink water, according to another study published in 2009 in Schizophrenia Research. Emily Woodruff, baltimoresun.com, 9 June 2017

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek polýdipsos "causing great thirst" (from poly- poly- + -dipsos, adjective derivative of dípsa "thirst," of uncertain origin) + -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polydipsia was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near polydipsia

Cite this Entry

“Polydipsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polydipsia. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

polydipsia

noun
poly·​dip·​sia ˌpäl-i-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on polydipsia

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