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

The medications have been approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, slow the progression of kidney disease and treat sleep apnea. —Jessica Herzberg, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026

Among them is Yvette Rodríguez, 61, who needs a sleep apnea machine, and her husband, Luis Soler, a 67-year-old veteran and double amputee, who relies on an electric adjustable bed. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

Wegovy, for example, is FDA-approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in certain patients and Zepbound is FDA-approved for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. —Jay Sparks, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Mouth taping can be unsafe, especially for people with nasal congestion or sleep apnea, and may worsen breathing and sleep quality. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 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