spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation

a spasm of creativity

spasms of pain

spasm intransitive verb

Synonyms

• cramp

Examples of spasm in a Sentence

a disease that causes muscle spasms

He was racked with coughing spasms.

She was suffering spasms of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

The lesions caused Curtis to suffer from muscle spasms, paralysis, a chronic limp and headaches. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 14 July 2025

Heavily abusing nitrous oxide can degrade one's central nervous system, leading to muscle weakness or spasms. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Diaphragmatic spasm — getting the wind knocked out of you Felinophobia — fear of cats. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025

First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. —Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spasm

• bronchospasm
• cytoplasm
• ectoplasm
• neoplasm
• protoplasm
• vasospasm
• chasm
• plasm
• chiasm
• germplasm
• phantasm
• sarcasm

Kids Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles

back spasms

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst

a spasm of creativity

spasm verb

Medical Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers

2

: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms

the renal artery went into spasm