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

Prenatal sleep problems such as short sleep, sleep apnea and restless sleep can lead to preterm births and low birth weight in newborns. —Jenalee Doom, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

For Christian, the lasting effects include sleep apnea, seizures, and a learning disability that prevents him from reading or writing. —Jessica Oliva, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

Apple Smartwatch Deals The latest in Apple's budget smartwatch lineup, the Apple Watch 3 SE now offers advanced features including an always-on display, on-device Siri processing, ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, and wrist temperature sensing — while still keeping the price low. —PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025

Address any medical conditions that interfere with sleep, such as pain, hormonal changes, inflammation, or sleep apnea. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 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