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

Your Body Does Not Get Enough Oxygen People with sleep apnea experience low oxygen levels (hypoxia) during sleep. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 Mar. 2026

My snoring turned out to be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes many snorers to wake up throughout the night to restart our breathing. —Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026

Last year, homeless people in San Diego County died while suffering from HIV, hypothermia, undernourishment, sleep apnea and pneumonia, according to data from the Medical Examiner’s Office. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Gradisar says snoring and sleep apnea are on the rise, which means noise can be a primary factor in poor sleep quality. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026

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