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

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

Thomas, his family's attorney said, was undergoing treatment for ADHD and sleep apnea, which also do not fall within the list of conditions the FDA authorizes for treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 1 Dec. 2025

These simpler machines, the kind sleep apnea patients use, are not as effective in removing carbon dioxide as ventilators and lack safety features. —Jordan Rau, NPR, 29 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