sleep apnea

noun

: apnea that recurs during sleep and is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center

Examples of sleep apnea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Isaacson added the further studies are needed to better understand whether sleep apnea itself, or co-factors like being overweight, is a potential risk for Parkinson's. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Nov. 2025

Inspire Medical Systems — The maker of an obstructive sleep apnea treatment will benefit from Friday’s decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to raise reimbursement rates for Outpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Stifel Financial said Sunday. —Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2025

Siri processing, ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, and wrist temperature sensing. —PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025

Aside from the now-pedestrian ability to count steps, the watches purportedly can spot possible atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) and sleep apnea. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sleep apnea

noun

: brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness