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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jake got rid of his sleep apnea and is no longer pre-diabetic. Abby Roedel, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026 Data on sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing, were not available. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 Harris says that menopausal and perimenopausal women also run a greater risk of developing more serious conditions like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome (RLS), due in part to the way changes in estrogen and progesterone can weaken throat muscles and reduce dopamine, a key movement regulator. Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026 Millions of people in the United States are affected by sleep apnea, a type of sleep disorder that affects your breathing at night. Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleep apnea

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleep apnea was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Sleep apnea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleep%20apnea. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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

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