postnasal drip

noun

post·​na·​sal drip ˈpōst-ˌnā-zəl- 

: flow of mucous secretion from the posterior part of the nasal cavity onto the wall of the pharynx occurring usually as a chronic accompaniment of an allergic state

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Chronic cough is most commonly caused by asthma, postnasal drip, and, perhaps surprisingly to some, reflux. —The Conversation, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023

The malodor of halitosis usually results from the bacterial breakdown of amino acids in food debris, saliva, blood, and postnasal drip in the oral cavity. —H Lee Kagan, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2011

Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy nose, and/or throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and postnasal drip. —Dallas News, 11 Oct. 2022

Copious amounts of clear, thin phlegm usually indicate an allergic reaction; the extra volume indicates that your body is trying to flush out the pathogen, and can show up as postnasal drip or a wet cough. —Jack Feerick, Discover Magazine, 10 Nov. 2020

In the last 20 years, Lee has landed in the hospital a half-dozen times after the postnasal drip from a cold or seasonal allergies triggered congestion, then bronchitis and pneumonia. —Marion Renault, The New Republic, 21 Oct. 2021

And because a lot of cold symptoms—like runny nose and postnasal drip—are generated from the sinuses, Dr. Wasylyshyn's advice to his patients who are dealing with a cold is to focus on clearing those up. —Colleen Murphy, Health.com, 27 Sep. 2021

And people with a persistent postnasal drip experience a flow of mucous that rides on top of the vocal folds. —Star Tribune, 21 July 2021

And all that postnasal drip can cause a stink by ending up stuck on the back of your tongue, which is incredibly hard to reach with a toothbrush. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 5 May 2020

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1949, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

postnasal drip

noun

post·​na·​sal drip ˈpōst-ˌnā-zəl 

: a flow of mucus from the passages of the nose onto the back of the throat that occurs especially as a result of allergies

Medical Definition

postnasal drip

noun

: flow of mucous secretion from the posterior part of the nasal cavity onto the wall of the pharynx occurring usually as a chronic accompaniment of an allergic state or a viral infection