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

Moments later, the spasms began. —Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025

About 1% of the US population has axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a rare form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause severe joint pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, and discomfort throughout the body. —Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025

Reid said right guard Trey Smith would miss the day’s session due to back spasms. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025

On Tuesday evening, the team updated the injury status of All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, listing him as questionable to take the court with back spasms. —Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 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