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

Some GLP-1s are approved for sleep apnea and to reduce heart disease risk. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 2 June 2026

Obesity also increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, certain cancers, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis. —Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026

On LillyDirect, for example, patients can purchase drugs such as the once-weekly subcutaneous injectable Zepbound (tirzepatide), indicated for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the once-daily oral tablet Foundayo (orforglipron). —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

People who have very little weight loss may still get real benefit for treating cardiovascular and liver disease, sleep apnea, and a range of inflammatory and neurological diseases. —Jody Dushay, STAT, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sleep apnea

• hypercapnia

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